Moated site 700m east of Gannow Green Farm

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 moated site 700m east of Gannow Green Farm is a well preserved example of a simple moat typical of many to be found in the area. Limited excavation has confirmed the survival of substantial structures, such as walls and hearths, which will, together with information on the original ground level and evidence of several phases of reuse, increase the understanding of the use and development of the site.

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.

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:

30020

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Roberts, B K, West Midlands Annual Archaeological News Sheet. in Gannow Green, Rubbery., (1962), 2

Other
Aston, M., Gannow Green moated site, 1966, Unpublished Survey Report 1966-9.

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