Reasons for Designation
Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or, seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigniorial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.
Details
The monument includes a nearly circular moat and its interior area which
formed the site of a moated manor house. The moat, which averages 10m in
width, has a maximum diameter of 55m N-S. It would originally have been
crossed by a timber bridge, but no evidence of its position is visible.
The moated island has been raised by about 1m above the level of the
surrounding land and forms a circular area some 30m across. On this platform
would have been sited the manor house itself. The surface of the island
undulates slightly, suggesting the presence of buried foundations, but no
certain traces are visible on the surface.
The site is recorded as having been given by William the Conqueror to John
de Fiennes soon after the Conquest and subsequently passed into the hands of
the Sayes family, after whom the manor site was named.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12866
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
