Old Hall moated site

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.

This moat at Lubenham is one of two in the village and is an above average example of a Leicestershire moat. It is considered that the moat island will retain evidence of the development of the manor and associated buildings.

Details

The moated site at Lubenham lies on the north bank of the River Welland, to the east of the village, 2km west of Market Harborough. The square moat comprises three arms with the fourth believed to be infilled on the western side. With the exception of the northern half of the eastern arm, most of the moat is water-filled and is 12-15m wide and 1-1.5m deep. There is an outer bank on the eastern and northern sides 0.5m high, and an inner bank on the northern side 1m high. At the south-western end the moat opens out into a pond which encloses a small island 25m long. A bank 0.5m high runs at right angles from the eastern arm about 35m onto the moat island from a point 40m south of the north-eastern corner. Traces of ridge and furrow ploughing are visible on the south side of the island. Documentary evidence suggest the manor house was chiefly of stone and was largely demolished in the late 18th century. The present Old Hall dates from the 18th century incorporating part of the west wall of the earlier building. Excluded from the scheduling are The Old Hall which is a Grade II listed building, Old Hall Farmhouse, the surface of Old Hall Lane and part of a farm building on the south-west side of the moat island but the ground beneath all these features is included.

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:

17042

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Nichols, J, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicestershire 2/2, (1798), 699,701

End of official list entry

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