Moated site 100m south-west of Bear Place

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, relatively few survive in Berkshire. This example is particularly important as it survives well and has high potential for the recovery of archaeological remains. Importance is enhanced by the survival, adjacent to the moated site, of what are believed to be contemporary farm buildings.

Details

The monument includes a rectangular moated site 100m south-west of Bear Place. The monument is aligned east-west with two causeways facing east and west. The site has maximum external dimensions of 75m square and is surrounded by a water-filled moat of 10m width and indeterminate depth. The moat is sharply rectangular giving the impression that it is a post-Medieval example, possibly contemporary with the timber-framed farm buildings to the south-west. The moat is fed by a small river and thus remains wet all the year round. The island measures 55m square although no traces of a structure can be seen.

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:

12034

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

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

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