Moated site at Tileplace, Old Windsor

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,

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