Wood End moated site, Tingrith

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.

Wood End moated site is an above average example of small moated rectangular enclosure, the archaeological potential of which appears to be undamaged by later disturbance.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a Medieval moated enclosure. The enclosure is rectangular in shape measuring c.75m by 50m inclusive of the 11m wide surrounding waterfilled moat. The moat is fed by a modern field drain at its south-west angle, which drains out through a channel in the centre of the east arm. The original source of water is thought to be provided by a spring located on the north arm of the moat. The moated island is flat with no surface indication for the location of buildings or features. The moated site may be associated with the remains of Wood End shrunken Medieval village located along either side of the nearby road.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

11561

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
SMR record, Knox R, (1980)
Burton, R P, (1990)

End of official list entry

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