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.
Details
The monument at Bailey Hall is a well preserved dry moat surrounding a
platform upon which is located the late 16th century Bailey Hall, an
adjacent outbuilding, access road and garden, and the ruins of the Chantry
of St John the Baptist. Two hollows to the W of the moated enclosure are
interpreted as fishponds. Bailey Hall, the chapel ruins and an adjacent
barn are all listed grade II. Bailey Hall was the manor house of the
Cliderours in the 13th century.
The moat survives in almost perfect condition on the E and W sides but has
been partly infilled on the S. On the N side there is a short length of
moat surviving at the NE corner. A prominent outer bank exists along the E
and NE sides with a gap in the centre of the E side. E of this gap is a low
oval mound. A low inner bank exists at the NE corner of the island.
The ruins of the early 14th century chapel of St John the Baptist stand to
the N of Bailey Hall. The N and E wall of this chapel survive to a max.
height of 1.7m.
Bailey Hall, its outbuilding and connecting wall, the E end of the access
road, and all fencing on the monument is excluded from the scheduling. The
ground beneath all these features, however, is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13423
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
