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 moated site at Manor Farm includes the partially-silted moat and its
island but also a broad external bank on the northern margin of the moat and
the drainage leat at the north-east corner of the moat. Moated sites are
generally seen as prestigious residences, the moat marking the high status of
the occupier but also serving to deter casual raiders and wild animals. Like
many moated sites, this example originated around 1300 AD and lay within the
1600 acre deer park which Henry II had enclosed soon after his accession in
1154. After about 1370, the moated buildings at Manor Farm formed an
occasional lodgings for royal hunting parties as well as being the residence
of the park keeper, and they continued in use until around 1600 after which
time they were demolished.
The monument features a rectangular stone-lined moat which originally
encircled the island on which the buildings stood. The moat was partially
infilled with the rubble from the early 17th century demolition, but two
lengths survive in good condition. No visible traces of the buildings which
occupied the island survive, but small-scale excavations have demonstrated
that much evidence of these buildings exists below the surface. The outer
edge of the moat on the north side is marked by a broad, low bank, while at
the north-east corner is a drainage leat. The electricity cable in this area,
the sluice between moat and leat and all fencing within the scheduled area,
are excluded from the scheduling. The brick-laid former tennis court and
modern fishpond-cum-flowerbed are also excluded, although the ground beneath
both is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12763
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
