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 with an island occupied by a medieval hall
and gardens.
The moat was originally 20m wide and completely encircled the site. At present
it is widened on the west and south side to provide a water feature for the
gardens. On the east and north sides the moat has been filled in to extend the
gardens. On the east side the course of the moat can be traced as a wetter
strip in the lawn. A scoop has also been taken out of the island platform here
to provide a level space for a bowling green or tennis courts in the past. The
soil from this excavation has been used to fill the moat at this point. To the
north of the site the moat is overlain by a kitchen garden and the cobbled
yard for the entrance of the hall. Engravings of the hall, in the possession
of the owner, show that in the 18th century the moat was filled with water in
front of the hall and that a bridge spanned the moat to provide entry to the
hall on this north side.
The platform of the island measures approximately 100m wide and is circular;
the enclosed area is 0.65ha.
The building of the present hall is recorded in the 14th century with
extensive restorations later. This building will have replaced an earlier one.
The hall is Listed Grade I.
The hall building, the outbuildings, the former sundial shaft (Listed Grade
II), and the garden wall lying over the moat are excluded from the scheduling,
although the ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27591
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
