Moated site and fishpond at Botany Bay Copse

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 of particular importance as it survives well and includes an associated fishpond. The latter may have acted as a reservoir for the moat thus making it an important example of an early water-management complex.

Details

The monument includes a small quadrilateral moated site and an associated sub- rectangular fishpond within, and at the westernmost end of, Botany Bay Copse. Although the moat is seasonally water-filled, the pond contains water all year round. The moat has straight regular arms around 2m in depth and bordered by an outer bank which still survives to a depth of 0.3m. The moat has overall dimensions of 60m NNE-SSW and 57m NW-SE while the moat island is 35m square. The pond is 40m in length and runs WNW from the south-west corner of the moat with which it is considered to be contemporary. It may have acted as a reservoir for the moat.

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:

12024

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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