Moated site north-east of St Remigius' Church

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 moated site at Long Clawson has historical connections with an important Leicestershire family and is believed to be the site of the manor house. The moat island is essentially well preserved and has considerable potential for the survival of original buildings within its raised interior.

Details

The moated site at Long Clawson lies in a pasture field to the east of the church. The moated area is roughly square, measuring 70m x 70m overall, and comprises the southern, eastern, and part of the western arms of the moat. The southern ditch is up to 1.5m deep, but the western arm is largely modified by the churchyard and this part of it is not included in the scheduling. To the north, the survival of the moat is unclear due to a some infilling. The centre of the island appears to be raised. There are documentary references, from 1304 to the Bozon family. An 18th- century writer records that they had a `castle' just by the church. The north-western corner of the moated area contains the ruined remains of a cottage probably dating to the 17th century, with the remaining part of the enclosure used as a chicken run. The remains of the cottage are excluded from the scheduling, as is a concrete construction of unknown use in the southern arm of the moat but the ground beneath these features is included.

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:

17019

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Nichols, J, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicestershire 2/1, (1795), 134

End of official list entry

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