Medieval moated site, Brambletye 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.

The moated site at Brambletye survives to a large extent intact and displays a number of component parts. The monument is of high archaeological potential, since the island area remains undisturbed and the moats waterlogged, and is associated with the nearby remains of Brambletye House which succeeded the moated manor as the principal residence of the Compton family.

Details

The moated site at Bramletye is an excellently-preserved example comprising two concentric moats around a stone-revetted moat island. On the west side is an original entrance causeway as well as a probably more recent causeway leading to the field entrance at the north-west corner. Moated sites are generally 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. Most moats were constructed between 1250 and 1350, and it is to this period that the example at Brambletye is likely to date. The interior of the moated site contains much dressed stone which signifies the former presence of an expensive and grand house. The foundations of the house can be traced on the southern and eastern sides. The site of the moated house was abandoned in 1631 when the nearby Brambletye House was built, although a print dated 1809 depicts the still-standing house on the moated site. On the north side of the moated site, mostly outside the scheduled area, is a leat which was built after the moated site to supply water to the mill to the south-east of the monument. The builders of the leat used the outer bank of the moated site to retain the water for part of the leat's length, however, and therefore on the northern side of the moated site the leat bank lies within the constraint 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:

12734

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
TQ 43 NW 6,
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1988)

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