The Lordship moated site, Much Hadham

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 Lordship moated enclosure survives in excellent condition and is a very fine example of a Hertfordshire moated site. The well-preserved outer banks are unusually high standing.

Details

The monument includes the well-defined remains of a Medieval moated enclosure. The moated enclosure is rectangular in shape measuring some 105m east-west by 85m north-south in maximum external dimensions. The surrounding dry moat measures 12m across and about 1.5m deep. A 2m wide causeway crosses the west arm of the moat with an additional causeway recently constructed across its south-east angle. External banks, measuring some 6m wide and 2m high, flank the north and south arms of the moat. The outer edge of the south bank is shored-up with large timbers. A slighter, 0.5m high 5m wide, outer bank is visible along the east arm. The interior of the moated enclosure is flat with no visible earthwork remains of buildings or features upon its surface.

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:

11567

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Tithe Map (1838) (SMR record) Source Date: 1838 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: SMR record
Ordnance Survey Records, J.R.L., Ordnance Survey Records (1973), (1973)
SMR record, SMR Record (1583), (1583)
Ref to a P.H., Brooke, Mr, Ref to a P.H., (1990)

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