Moated manor and medieval settlement, Easington

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.

The earthworks at Easington are a rare survival in this part of England, where few medieval earthwork sites now exist in an undamaged condition. The site retains considerable archaeological potential with a diverse range of features, including the moat, the pond, the circular mounds, and the other assorted settlement features.

Details

The site consists of the surviving part of an approximately rectangular moated site, the platform of which is now occupied by Easington Hall Farm, with further settlement remains on the N and W sides. Moated sites are generally seen as the prestigious residences of the Lords of the manor. The moat in such circumstances marked the high status of the occupier, but also served to deter casual raiders and wild animals. Most moats were constructed between 1250 and 1350 and it is to this period that the example at Easington is likely to date. At the north of the moated site the original watercourse was clearly engineered to service at least one pond to the east, parts of the earthworks of which survive. To the west and northwest of the farm there survive the earthwork boundaries of at least four enclosures, in two of which are roughly circular mounds which have been interpreted as dovecotes. Also within these enclosures are the earthwork remains of building platforms and hollow ways. All field boundaries are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included. Additionally the electricity pylon and its base is excluded but deposits beneath are included.

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:

13403

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Thubron, S, AM 107, (1983)
Fairless, K J, AM 107, (1988)
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)

End of official list entry

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