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 seigneurial 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
Manor House moated site, Todwick, consists of an island, measuring c.100m
along the east, west and south sides and c.50m along the north. Surrounding
the island is a largely water-filled moat, filled in and partially built
over to the west and south-west. This widens from c.15m to c.20m in the
north-east corner where it is thought to have included an integral fishpond.
In recent years a revetted causeway was discovered across the south arm of
the moat but, whilst the causeway is likely to be an original feature, the
revetment appears relatively modern. Two wells are associated with the
site, one on the island, south-east of the present house, and one in the
field east of the monument. Underneath the present house and its garden are
the foundations of an old manor house demolished in 1947. These remains in
turn overlie those of the medieval manorial complex. Excluded from the
scheduling are all modern buildings, structures and features, the modern
causeway being built across the east arm of the moat to the field beyond,
and the surfaces of all paths and driveways. All the ground beneath these
exclusions is, however, included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13231
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
