Snittlegarth moated site

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.

Snittlegarth moated site survives reasonably well, its earthworks in particular remaining well preserved. It is a good example of a small homestead moat and will retain evidence for the building that originally occupied the island during the 14th century. Additionally the waterlogged parts of the moat will contain organic material.

Details

The monument includes Snittlegarth medieval moated site. It is located on a small plateau on a gently sloping hillside c.500m south west of Snittlegarth Farm and includes an island surrounded by a moat which is boggy in places and which is flanked on its eastern side by an outer bank. The island measures c.25m by 12m and is raised up to 1m above the surrounding landsurface. Surrounding the island is a partly waterlogged moat 4m-5m wide and up to 1.5m deep. The moat is flanked on its eastern side by an outer bank measuring c.4.5m wide and up to 1m high. Documentary sources dated to 1367 state that Sir Robert de Tilliol granted land at Ireby `except the site of the manor house within the water ditches' and thus indicate that the moated site was occupied during the mid-14th century. All modern fences are excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath them is included.

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:

23795

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Curwen, J F, Trans Cumb & West Antiq & Arch Soc. Extra Ser. in Castles and Towers of Cumb, West and Lancs N of the Sands, Vol. 13, (1913), 45
Graham, T H B, Trans Cumb & West Antiq & Arch Soc. New Ser. in Scaleby, Vol. XXI, (1921), 148

Other
AM 107. FMW Report, Fairless, K, Snittlegarth Moated site, (1993)
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)

End of official list entry

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