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 buried and earthwork remains of a rectangular
moated site measuring approximately 90m by 70m and orientated east to west.
The arms of the moat, which are dry, are 5m to 9m wide and 3m to 4m deep,
being widest at the angles. Earthen causeways give access to the moat island
on the south arm, towards the centre, and on the east arm, towards the north
east angle. The banks of the moat are level with the surrounding ground.
The moat encloses a rectangular island which measures approximately 60m by 40m
and is also level with the surrounding ground. The surface of the island is
undulating and pitted with a number of shallow depressions which may be the
buried remains of buildings. The moat was formerly fed by a stream which now
flows outside the south and west arms and which has been utilised as a surface
storm drain for the surrounding housing development.
Limited excavations in advance of the development found evidence, in the form
of substantial coursed ashlar stone walls, that the moated site was occupied
during the 13th to 15th centuries.
The modern post and wire fences and hard surfaces 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:
30020
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
