Hallsteads 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.

Hallsteads moated site survives reasonably well, its earthworks remaining well preserved. It is unencumbered by modern development and will retain evidence for the building that originally occupied the island and which is visible in an aerial photograph of the monument.

Details

The monument includes Hallsteads medieval moated site. It is located on relatively flat land to the east of Gillcambom Beck and includes an island surrounded by a dry moat which is flanked by an outer bank. The island measures c.24m east-west by 30m north-south and has an inner bank up to 2m wide by 0.3m high on all sides except the west. Surrounding the island is a dry moat which measures 5m-8m wide by 1m deep. The moat is flanked on all sides except the four corners by an outer bank measuring 5m-8m wide by 0.5m high. Access to the island is gained via a causeway situated at the north east corner. An aerial photograph shows faint traces of a rectangular feature interpreted as the buried remains of a building at the south west corner of the island.

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:

23768

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
AP Ref.No. CCC 1640,8, Cumbria County Council, Hallsteads Moated Site,
AP Ref.No. CCC 1640,15, Cumbria County Council, Hallsteads Moated Site,
SMR Ref No. 900, Cumbria SMR, Hallsteads moated site, (1987)
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)

End of official list entry

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