Moated site and fishponds 250m south west of Middleton 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 and fishponds 250m south west of Middleton Farm survive well despite some disturbance from agricultural practices and an archaeological excavation. This limited investigation has helped to demonstrate the nature, extent and date of structural remains and associated deposits existing on the moated island. These remains together with the artefacts and organic remains surviving on the island and in the moat will provide valuable evidence about the occupation and social status of the inhabitants. Organic remains surviving in the buried ground surface under the external banks, and within the moat, will also provide information about the changes to the local environment and the use of the land before and after the moated site was constructed. Fishponds were constructed throughout the medieval period with many dating to the 12th century. The direct association of the moated site with these ponds provides further evidence about the economy and lifestyle of the occupants of the site during the medieval period.

Details

The monument includes the earthwork and buried remains of a medieval moated site and fishponds. The moated site and fishponds occupy an elevated postion at the base of a south west facing slope. The moat, which is waterlogged, defines a small square island, approximately 20m across. The arms of the moat are between 12m and 14m wide and are bounded on all but the north east side by external banks created from material excavated from the moat. A small-scale archaeological excavation of the island was conducted in 1975. The remains of stone-built structures of medieval date were revealed. Artefacts found included roofing slabs and a range of metal objects, including a coin dated to circa 1430. Upslope, to the south east of the moated site, are the remains of two small embanked fishponds, one of which retains a little water. The size and arrangement of these ponds indicate that they were used for the breeding and storing of fish. The nearby stream would have been diverted in order to supply the fishponds and the moat with water, and a short channel, or leat, connected one of the ponds to the moat. All modern fences and gates 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:

32323

Legacy System:

RSM

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