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 moated site lying on a sand and gravel outcrop on the
edge of the Dorset downs where they meet the Somerset Levels.
The moated site, aligned north east-south west includes a central flat area in
the form of an irregular square c.85m by c.90m surrounded by a moat. A
depression in the north east part of the central area 24m long, 5m wide and
0.5m deep has been interpreted as a fishpond. The depression indicating the
position of the moat can be seen at all points except the north west corner
where it is infilled and has farm buildings standing on it. The moat is c.2m
deep and varies in width from 9.5m at the top to 4.4m at the bottom.
It is recorded that this was a manorial site, the manor being held by the
Dauney family from Cornwall which married into the Courtney family in the 14th
century. Until that time it was leased to William de Muleborne, a sheriff. The
Courtneys used the manor as a stopping off point from their home in Exeter.
The manor remained in the Courtney family until 1559 when it was confiscated,
by which time it was in a state of disrepair.
Within the vicinity of the moated site are medieval settlement earthworks
c.120m to the NNW and the site of a medieval mill c.100m to the south. A 17th
century mill lies adjacent to the monument on its north west side.
The post and wire fence which crosses the monument on its south east side and
the stone trough in the moat on its west side are both excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath is included. The inspection shafts for
the water tunnel and the water tunnel itself which passes under the site
taking water from the River Yeo to the south of the site, to the 17th century
mill to the north west of the moated site, are included in the scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
22070
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
