Moated site and two fishponds 300m west of Moorcourt

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.

Although a large number of moated sites are known in England, relatively few survive in Hampshire. This site is particularly important as it survives well, is associated with contemporary fishponds and has a possible association with a documented manor house.

Details

The monument includes a rectangular moated site and fishponds, 300m west of Moorcourt. Both the moat and fishponds survive as dry earthworks. The moated site is orientated north-south and has external dimensions of 80m by 60m. The moat survives to a width of c.10m and to a depth of 1m on the north and west sides and 1.5m deep on the east side. The south side is formed by a stream. The area enclosed by the ditch is c.70m by 40m. Adjacent to the moated site on the western side are two fishponds aligned north-south. The northernmost survives to a length of 45m and a width of 35m; the southern pond is c.25m square. Although the date of construction is not certain, the site may be that of the manor house of Moor Abbess, one of two medieval manors in the area.

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:

12058

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Stamper, P, Medieval Hampshire: studies in landscape history, (1983)

Other
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Fishponds, 1988,

End of official list entry

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