Moated site 310m north east of Scorborough church

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.

The monument is part of a related group of sites dating to the medieval period in the Scorborough and Leconfield area and is one of three moats surviving in close proximity. It survives in good condition and as one of a group affords important insights into the social, economic and territorial divisions of this area during the medieval period.

Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site east of the village of Scorborough, 310m north east of Scorborough church. The monument has a raised central platform area approximately 30m square, surrounded by a moat ditch. The ditch is `U' shaped and between 8m-10m wide and up to 1.5m deep in places. The site is thought to be associated with the main moated site at Scorborough Hall lying further to the west.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

26595

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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