Roxford moated site, Hertingfordbury

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.

Roxford is a well-preserved example of a Hertfordshire moated site. The monument is largely unaffected by later land use and is considered to have excellent potential for the preservation of archaeological remains. The significance of the site is greatly increased by the presence of a range of historical records relating to the early post Medieval period.

Details

The monument includes the well-defined remains of a Medieval moated enclosure. The enclosure is sub-rectangular in shape measuring some 100m by 75m in maximum external dimensions. The moat comprises three waterfilled arms with the River Lea forming the south-east side of the site. The moat varies in width between 6m and 16m, with the enlarged north angle forming the widest section. In some places the remains of flint walling are visible, revetting the sides of the moat. Entrance to the interior is across a brick arched bridge near the west angle. Two causeways separate the arms of the moat from the river. The interior of the enclosure is uneven. Wall lines visible in dry seasons and surface scatters of Tudor brick and tile provide evidence for the locations of buildings upon the island. A low bank adjacent to the river is the result of recent dredging. Historical records relating to the site include an inventory of rooms dating to 1619 and a sketch of Roxford Manor dating to 1687.

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:

11565

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Tithe Map (1838) Source Date: 1838 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
Note of amateur, Bagenal, Mrs, (1990)
Ordnance Survey, N K B, (1971)
Andrews, TEHAS,

End of official list entry

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