Moated site at Foxley Green Farm

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 site is important as it survives particularly well, contains a good range of features, including various low earthworks on the interior, and maintains a documented historical association.

Details

The monument includes a moated site immediately south-east of Foxley Green Farm. The moat island, which has dimensions of 50m NE-SW by 55m NW-SE, is surrounded by a deep quadrangular, water-filled moat in good condition. The site measures approximately 80m by 70m externally. The moat has no causeway but an external bank surviving to a height of up to 1m runs around the southern and eastern perimeter. Various earthworks survive on the moat island which once contained the manor house of Foxley's. This was burned down in the 18th century. Reports of previous excavations are unsubstantiated.

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:

12026

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
West Cambridgeshire, Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in Cambridgeshire, (1968)

End of official list entry

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