The Banquetting Orchard moated site, 650m north west of Bentley village hall

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 Banquetting Orchard moated site represents a well-preserved example of a large moat typical of many to be found in the area. The site is well documented and this will provide an insight into its history and use. The water-filled moat shows little evidence of recent disturbance and archaeological and environmental deposits relating to the construction and occupation of the site will survive.

Details

The monument includes the buried and earthwork remains of a moated site known as `The Banquetting Orchard' which is thought to be the original site of the medieval residence of the Pauncefoot family, whose history is documented from the 12th century. The moated site is compact and sub-rectangular in shape with a complete moat. It is orientated north east-south west and measures approximately 100m by 80m. The moat is water-filled and uniform, measuring 6m to 10m across the top of the banks, and appears to be fed by surface drainage. An external bank survives on the south west side rising 1m above ground level. There is a fine 18th century stone bridge in the middle of the northern arm of the moat which is included in the scheduling. The interior of the moat island is raised 1m to 2m above the surrounding ground level and contains the undulating earthwork remains of former tree planting. The remnants of a partly infilled fishpond are evident to the north west of the western arm of the moat, the surviving parts of which are included in the scheduling. The modern post and wire fences and gates which surround the moat are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath all these features is included.

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:

30014

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
The Victoria History of the County of Worcester: Volume III, (1913), 224

Other
Bond C J, Bentley Pauncefoot Moated site at the Thrift., 1969, unpublished survey notes in SMR

End of official list entry

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