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 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.
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 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
