Moated manor and Queen Victoria's landing stage, 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 in England, relatively few survive in Berkshire. This example is particularly important because of its Royal association and because contemporary documents illustrate the building which once occupied the moat island. The monument's significance is considerably enhanced by its adoption as the site of the Victorian landing stage, itself having a royal association.

Details

The monument includes two arms of a water-filled moated site located immediately to the south of Virginia Water Cottage on the northern bank of Virginia Water and a 19th century jetty - Queen Victoria's landing stage built on the moat island. The north and west arms of the moat remain although the south and east arms have been destroyed and incorporated into Virginia Water. The enclosed area is now an island with access by a modern bridge on the west side. The moated site is orientated north-south with maximum external dimensions of 120m and 90m respectively. The site would originally have been between 30 and 40m wider on either axis. The island has dimensions of 70m east-west by 100m north- south. The moat which survives to the north and west varies between 20 and 35m in width and survives to a depth of 5m from the level of the island. A map of 1607 shows a moated site at this location called "The Manor". A building with projected wings is shown within the moat. The site is mentioned as early as the reign of Richard II and in 1406 is referred to as the Manor in Windsor Park. There are now no visible remains of the Manor Lodge although medieval tiles have been recovered both within the island and immediately outside, demonstrating the survival of archaeological deposits. On the southern side of the island is Queen Victoria's landing stage. This is a stepped structure of brick construction with dimensions of c.30m by 20m. It was built in the late 19th century. The two bridges joining the island to the land are excluded from 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:

12050

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,
HRH Prince of Wales,

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