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
The monument includes a moated site and fishpond situated on high ground
overlooking the River Cam, 0.75km south-east of St Mary's Church in Strethall.
The quadrangular moated site is orientated NE-SW and measures 95m by 75m. The
arms, which are mostly dry, are between 8m and 14m wide and a maximum of 3.75m
in depth. The eastern corner retains some water. A causeway, 3m wide, across
the south-eastern arm gives access to the island, which is flat, but has
traces of internal banks about 2m wide and 0.5m high to the south and north-
west. At the northern corner of the moat is a rectangular fishpond which
remains waterfilled and measures 45m NE-SW by 20m NW-SE. It is joined to the
moat by a channel 11m wide. To the north of the moat are other earthworks on
the same alignment, which are considered to be part of an associated
enclosure, although the continuation of these earthworks within the woods has
yet to be defined.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20695
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
