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 Moat Farm medieval moated site. It is located close to
the sea shore a short distance north of Moat Hill (Aldingham motte and bailey
castle, the subject of a separate scheduling) which it superseded as home of
the Le Fleming family. It includes a rectangular island or platform surrounded
by a waterlogged moat. The island has been raised slightly above the level of
the surrounding land using the upcast from the digging of the moat, and
measures approximately 32m east-west by 28m north-south. The surrounding moat
measures c.13m-18m wide and 1.5m deep. The monument is thought to be the site
of the medieval manor house of Michael Le Fleming, Lord of Aldingham, prior to
the family's move to Gleaston Castle.
All fences and railings are excluded from the scheduling but the ground
beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27683
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
