Medieval moated site at Grove Manor 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.

The moated site at Grove Farm survives well and retains considerable archaeological potential for the recovery of evidence of the development of the manor both from the island and from the moat.

Details

The monument includes a square, water-filled moat and its internal island which together formed the site of a medieval manor house. The moat measures typically 7m across and has maximum dimensions of ca.45m north-west/south- east by 50m north-east/south-west. The surface of the moat island, on which would have stood the manor house and ancillary buildings, undulates subtly suggesting the presence of archaeological remains. The manor of Grove has been in existence since the time of Edward II, during whose reign the moated manor house is most likely to have been built. The modern wooden bridge providing access onto the island, together with its footings, and the concrete steps on the north-eastern outer edge of the moat, are excluded from the scheduling, but the ground beneath is included.

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:

12731

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1988)
TR 35 NW 42,

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