The Mount moated site and associated deer-pen enclosure and park pale, Gilston Park, Eastwick

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 Mount survives as a well-preserved Hertfordshire moated enclosure. It is an unusual example of a site of this category specifically associated with deer management.

Details

The monument includes the well-preserved remains of a Medieval moated enclosure and associated deer-pen enclosure and park pale. The moated enclosure measures some 75m east-west by 50m north-south in maximum external dimensions. The surrounding dry moat measures about 12m across and up to 2.5m deep. Part of the west side of the moat has been infilled in modern times. A low external bank, measuring some 0.5m high and 3m across, flanks its east arm. The moated island is raised 2m higher then the surrounding ground surfaces. Foundations of a flint-faced building, measuring about 4m by 9m, survive within the interior. The moated site is considered to have been the location of a park keeper's lodge in the Tudor period. Adjacent to the moat on the east side is an outer enclosure with dimensions of about 85m east-west by 50m north-south. Its eastern side defined by a 2m high scarp slope and by the moat and park pale on the west and north sides respectively. The interior of the enclosure is levelled to form a flat terrace on which stood at least three deer-houses up until the last century. There are no obvious surface traces of these buildings. Immediately to the north of the moat and outer enclosure are the remains of a park pale, originally enclosing Gilston Park in the Tudor period. The park pale survives as a well-defined ditch which measures 4m across and up to 1.5m deep.

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:

11566

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Tithe Map Source Date: 1839 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:
Title: Tithe Maps Source Date: 1839 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: 1839 & 1898
Title: Gilston Park Estate Map Source Date: 1851 Author: Publisher: Surveyor:

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.