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.
Details
This is a double moated site of unusual plan with various associated water-
filled channels and a fishpond. The site includes a main moat approximately
100m square, which is connected to a smaller enclosure to the north and a
second adjacent moat on the north-east side. A rebuilt seventeenth century
house stands on the first moat island and the wall foundations of further
buildings can be identified nearby. A large mound to the south of the
present house was created recently when debris was removed from the moat
ditches. The foundations of a bridge are visible along the moat's southern
arm. The second moat, of similar size to the first, is connected by a dry
causeway to the main moat and partly overlaps with the northern sub-
enclosure. Only two arms of this moat are visible; the southern and eastern
arms have been infilled. The foundations of a bridge can be seen on the
western arm. A heavily overgrown area to the west of the moated complex is
included within the protected area as it contains various drainage channels
responsible for maintaining the water levels in the moats. The sluice in the
north boundary of the moat is excluded, however the ground around it is
included in the scheduling. Also included is a fish pond to the south which
is connected to the moats via an outlet channel. The rebuilt seventeenth
century house is excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath is
included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
13606
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
