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 the known extent of the buried and earthwork remains of
the semi-moated site immediately south west of St Mary's Church,
Childswickham. The site is located on level ground.
Although the moat arms have been largely infilled, a survey and part
excavation carried out in the 1970s prior to their infilling, found no
evidence for a northern moat arm, but confirmed that banks located outside the
moat arms were constructed from gravel. It is therefore believed that the
island measuring approximately 150m by 50m would have been one of the largest
in the county, and was originally surrounded by a ditch on three sides only.
The moat measured up to 8m wide and up to 1m deep. A low internal bank to the
western and southern arms of 3m to 4m width was recorded. Also, in addition, a
series of linear banks and ditches are situated outside the western and
southern arms of the moat. All these features have become infilled over time
and spread by cultivation but will be expected to survive as buried features.
All modern fencing is excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath
it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31956
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
