Hankins Moated Site, Roe Green

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 Hankins moat is a fine example of square moated enclosure which survives as a well defined earthwork. It is considered to have potential for the preservation of archaeological and environmental remains, both within the moat and upon the raised island. Records suggest that the monument may preserve the remains of a domestic dwelling believed to have burnt down in the medieval period.

Details

The monument comprises the earthwork and below ground remains of a moated enclosure dating from the medieval period. The moated site covers an area of some 50m square and consists of a slightly raised island surrounded by a 7m wide ditch. The moat has an entrance causeway on the north-west side which is about 5m wide. On the south-east side the remains of a post medieval wooden bridge can be seen. The site is recorded as containing a single house which was subsequently destroyed by fire although no above ground traces are now apparent.

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:

11512

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
King, A, Village Chronicals Pt 2, (1986)

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