Moated site at Cippenham Court

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 particularly important as it survives well and is associated with a series of earthworks immediately adjacent to the moated site. The monument also has a good level of historical documentation as well as high potential for the recovery of archaeological remains.



The site of the scheduled monument is shown on the attached "MPP Scheduled Monument" map extract, outlined in black and highlighted in red and includes a 2m boundary around archaeological features to the north and south of the moat considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Details

The monument includes a moated site and associated earthworks situated adjacent to and to the east of Wood Lane. The moat, which measures c.115m east-west by 100m north-south, is trapezoidal and aligned WNW-ESE with a causeway to the west. The ditch varies between 10 and 15m in width, has an average depth of 1.5m and encloses an island some 75m square. A pronounced inner bank (c.1.2m high) encloses a level interior with vague depressions and banks, interpreted as representing the location of the foundations of a large manor house. Low earthworks, visible on the ground and on aerial photographs, demonstrate the survival of archaeological remains of activities associated with, but outside, the moat. The site is thought to be that of a manor held as a temporary residence from 1252 AD but has also been traditionally associated with the Palace of Richard, Earl of Cornwall.

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:

12030

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
The Victoria History of the County of Buckinghamshire, (1925), 167;174
Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, , An Inventory of Historic Monuments in Buckinghamshire, (1912), 75

Other
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,
Held at Mid Thames Arch Soc, Stanley, C,

End of official list entry

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