Moated site and associated fishponds 100m south of Clappers Farm

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 in England, relatively few survive in Hampshire. This example is particularly important as it has high potential for the survival of organic and archaeological remains, detailed historical documentation and displays a good range of features.

Details

The monument includes a small square moated site and two associated fishponds 100m south of Clappers Farm. The moat is orientated NNW-SSE and comprises a raised platform c. 25m square surrounded by a water- filled ditch. This survives to a width of 12m and a depth of up to 0.5m. The moat is stream fed and usually maintains a constant flow of water. The site is located in the south-east corner of an early 13th century deer park and is surrounded on the south, east and west sides by a flat-topped bank and ditch, the former surviving to a height of up to 1m. Two narrow linear fishponds survive to the north of the complex. There are no traces of a building visible within the moated area, although the site is considered to be that of a park lodge or a seigneurial residence.

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:

12062

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Stamper, P, Medieval Hampshire: studies in landscape history, (1983), 250

Other
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Fishponds, 1988,

End of official list entry

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