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 on low lying ground 200m west of St James'
Church. It is visible as a sub-rectangular, four-armed moat, enclosing an
island measuring about 52m by 44m, orientated north west-south east. The moat
is water filled throughout the year, 10m wide at its widest point and about 1m
deep to water level. A slightly raised area on the island is believed to
contain the buried remains of buildings.
The moat is thought to have been the site of Woolstrop Manor house, which was
first recorded in the mid-13th century. In 1672 a William Hayward had a
house with 11 hearths in Woolstrop, and in the early 18th century it was
described as a `pleasant seat'. During the later 18th century a new
house was built to the north west of the original site, and the moat was
abandoned.
All fences and the modern sluice in the north west corner of 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:
32364
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
