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
The monument includes the well-defined remains of a sub-circular
Medieval moated enclosure. The enclosure measures some 55m north-west to
south-east by 65m transversely inclusive of the 10m wide surrounding
moat. The southern half of the moat is surrounded by a 5m wide outer
bank. Remains of a stone revetment have been revealed by animal burrows
upon the moated island. In the centre of the island are the well-
preserved remains of a 16th-17th century stone-built dovecote. The
rectangular shaped dovecote measures some 10m by 6m with access doorways
to the west and east. The moat is partially surrounded by an outer
banked enclosure located immediately to the south and south-west. This
enclosure is defined by a 1m high 3m wide bank enclosed by a slight
outer ditch. The moated site and banked enclosure are thought to mark
the site of a park keeper's house dating to around 1312. Adjacent to the
north-west side of the moat are the levelled remains of farmbuildings
associated with Carlton Hall, a 16th century farmhouse which superseded
the moated site. Stone foundations have been recovered from this
adjacent levelled area, a terrace measuring some 30m by 10m, orientated
north-east to south-west. The exact site of Carlton Hall is unknown. A
stone-lined pond to the east of the modern Carlton Hall Farm is thought
to date to the Post Medieval Period of the monument. The pond measures
some 50m by 8m but was originally some 10m longer. The modern barns
adjacent to the site are excluded from the scheduling. The monument has
two separate protected areas.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
11556
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
