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 a moated site set on low lying ground c.2km south east
of the River Severn. It comprises a rectangular four-armed moat, three arms
of which remain visible, enclosing an island c.80m x c.50m orientated
north west-south east. The moat is 9m wide at its widest point and c.4m deep
and survives as a waterfilled feature on the south western side only. There is
a slight internal and external bank c.0.3m in height running along the length
of this side. The north western and north eastern arms survive as earthworks
and are believed to contain waterlogged sediment. The south eastern arm has
been infilled, possibly intentionally during the construction of the present
farm buildings, and survives as a buried feature. A causeway, possibly on the
original siting, crosses the middle of the south western side. This arm of the
moat has been enlarged at the eastern end to form a small waterfilled pond
c.24m in width. The central portion of the present house which is a Grade II
Listed Building dates to the 15th century, the north wing to the 16th century,
and the south wing to 1811. The original construction of Quedgeley probably
occurred between 1250 and 1350 and the buried remains of earlier buildings are
considered likely to survive. The present house and farm buildings are
excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath the uncellared parts
(the two wings and the outbuildings) of the house and the farm buildings is
included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13805
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
