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 is
situated in an area of considerable historical and Royal importance. Windsor
Great Park has numerous classes of monument which may be considered
contemporary with Tileplace, not least of which are three other medieval
moated sites including the Royal Manorial site at Bears Rails.
Details
The monument includes a trapezoidal moat 25m east of Tileplace Farm. The site
is aligned north-south and has maximum external dimensions of 125m north-south
and 100m east-west. The site has two causeways, to the west and east. The
moat is partly water-filled and varies in width between 5m and 12m. An
external bank survives to a width of 10m to the north and south of the moat
while an internal bank of 10m width survives to the north of the eastern
causeway and runs for a length of 18m. A platform against the northern arm of
the moat is considered to be contemporary and has dimensions of 30m by 10m.
The modern Tileplace Cottages are excluded from the scheduling, however, the
ground beneath these buildings is included in the scheduling. 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:
12031
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,
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.
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