Moated site, fishponds and associated settlement site, 200m west of Holbury Manor

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 example is particularly important as it survives well with a good range of associated contemporary features. The site has potential for the further recovery of archaeological remains (both structures and artefacts). In addition documentary evidence for the history of the monument survives providing details of its occupation.

Details

The monument includes a rectangular moated site, building foundations and related occupation debris and a fishpond 200m west of Holbury Manor. The moat is partly water-filled with entrances to the east and west. The monument is orientated ENE-WSW and has external dimensions of c.75m north-south and c.60m east-west. The moat survives to a width of 10m and encloses an island c.45m square. Finds of medieval pottery and tile within the island demonstrate the presence of buildings on the site. Ploughing of a field immediately north of the moated site also revealed building foundations and occupation debris of medieval date. North of the occupation area are two fishponds considered to be contemporary with the moated site. These are water-filled and survive up to 100m in length, 20-25m wide and to a depth of 1m. Documentary evidence indicates that the site was one of the smaller granges of Beaulieu Abbey. By the 16th century the grange had become impoverished and leased out.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

12053

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Stamper, P, Medieval Hampshire: studies in landscape history, (1983), 256
Stamper, P, Medieval Hampshire: studies in landscape history, (1983)
Devenish, D, Hants Archaeology Newsletter in Holbury, Vol. 2, (1972), 8-9

Other
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,
Dennison, E., MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Fishponds, (1988)

End of official list entry

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