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 rectangular earthwork moated site situated in the
valley of the Endon Brook to the west of a tributary stream channel.
The site is orientated north east-south west and has external dimensions of
approximately 125m by 75m. A road runs east-west across the northern part of
the site. The moat has been mostly infilled but the southern and south western
sections remain distinctly visible as shallow depressions. Part of the north
eastern corner of the moat can also be traced on the ground surface. The moat
ditches are approximately 13m wide and are visible as earthworks up to 1m
deep. The moated island has a sub-rectangular plan and is higher than the
surrounding ground surface, rising towards its centre. There is a levelled
area in the north eastern part of the island defining a small rectangular
platform.
The moated site is known as `Audley's Moat' and is thought to be the site of a
house belonging to Lord de Audley.
The fence posts on the site, the two electricity poles and the surface of the
road are all 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:
21589
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
