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
Coldbridge Farm moated site is one of the most complete examples of a
fortified manor house in the South-East. The main part of the site includes a
complete inner moat with its original causeway, a retaining bank on the north
side outside the inner moat, a large fishpond and a partial circuit of outer
moat. In addition there is a length of paddock boundary to the south which is
associated with the use of the moated manor.
Moated sites are usually seen as the prestigious residences of the Lords of
the Manor. The moat marked the high status of the occupier but also served to
deter casual raiders and wild animals. Coldbridge is an example of a moated
site with a strongly defensive function too. Most moats were constructed
between 1250 and 1350, but the example at Coldbridge is likely to have been
founded in the earlier 13th century as "Colebridge Manor" is mentioned during
the rein of Henry III.
The fishpond within the bounds of the outer moat provided fish for the table,
another sign of high status, while the paddock afforded security to the
animals kept there. The outer moat was never a complete wet circuit, the land
rising significantly to the south-east and the outer boundary of the moated
site here being marked by a slight bank and ditch. All of the standing
buildings on the site are excluded from the scheduling although the ground
beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12722
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
