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
Tilts moated site consists of two roughly rectangular islands divided and
surrounded by a water-filled moat, varying between 10 and 15m wide. The
north island measures c.100m x 50m and is joined to the southern by a narrow
causeway across the central ditch. The south island measures c.75m x 40m
and contains the present house, a part of which appears to be 17th century.
The south arm of the moat is largely filled in and partially overlain by later
buildings. Another section of filled-in moat once linked the central ditch and
the west arm of the northern circuit, which itself has been recut and is now
represented by a wide waterlogged ditch bordering the lane to the west.
Traditionally the monument is thought to have been a monastic site but this
has not been substantiated. Certainly, it is likely to have controlled the
medieval manorial estate of Tilts. The remains of the earlier manor are
believed to underlie the present house and work carried out on the north
island in c.1986 revealed large stone blocks thought to be part of the
foundations of an ancillary building. Also found was a section of paved road
coming in from the north.
A number of features within the area are excluded from the scheduling; these
are all buildings, modern structures and features, fences and surfaces of
paths and drives; the ground beneath all these features is, however, included.
Also included is the ditch bordering the lane to the west, as further
recutting of this will affect the deposits in this part of the moat.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13230
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
