Story Moats moated enclosure, outer enclosures, drainage leats and ponds, Everton

Reasons for Designation

Around 6000 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 or, in some cases, which were used for horticulture. 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 understanding the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains. Story Moats is one of the best-preserved moated sites in Bedfordshire. The site is of particular importance as an excellent example of a water- management complex comprising ponds, leats and moat. The site has excellent potential for the preservation of both wet and dry archaeological deposits.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a medieval moated enclosure and associated outer enclosures, drainage leats and ponds. The moat is sub- square in shape measuring 100m across including the surrounding ditches which measure up to 25m wide. A small projection at the south-west corner of the island may mark the site of the original entrance. Modern access to the island is provided by a 2m wide causeway near the centre of the east arm. The island measures some 50m across and has no upstanding remains of earlier buildings or features except for a low spread bank along the north-east side. Part of an outer bank can be seen along the north-west side and north angle. The moat is central to a complex series of outworks, thought to be fishponds and water management works. These include a trapeziodal shaped enclosure adjacent to the north-west side of the moat defined by banks, ditches and a pond. The enclosure contains two small fishponds as well as scarp slopes and banks which sub-divide the interior. Adjacent to the north and north-east sides of the moated enclosure are a further series of ponds, leats and earthworks which inter-connect to form a related series of out-works.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

11545

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Simkins, M E, The Victoria History of the County of Huntingdon: Volume II, (1932), 370-1

Other
SMR records, Taylor, C, Story Moats, (1981)
SMR records, Taylor, C, Story Moats, Everton Beds, (1981)

End of official list entry

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