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 is situated within the grounds of Bishop Ullathorne Roman
Catholic School on the south western outskirts of Coventry and includes a
moated site.
The moated site has external dimensions of 52m north west to south east and
70m north east to south west and projects out of an east facing slope. The dry
moat ditches are up to 15m wide and approximately 1.5m deep. At the southern
corner of the site, the moat ditch projects to the south west to form a pond
area which remains water filled and is included in the scheduling. A modern
service road bisects the site and is thought to overlie the original entrance
onto the moated island, which is believed to have been from the north, across
the north eastern arm of the moat. The moated island is raised above the
surrounding ground surface and is approximately 33m square. It has a
relatively level surface and is thought to retain buried archaeological
features associated with the occupation of the moated site.
A late 16th century map of the area provides evidence for the setting of the
moated site during the post-medieval period. At this time it was located
within an open area which was bounded to the south and east by belts of
woodland.
The surfaces of all driveways, the flag-pole, and the modern bridges across
the north eastern and south western moat ditches are excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
21619
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
