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 known extent of a moated site situated on low lying
ground approximately 2km south east of the centre of Gloucester. It includes a
sub-rectangular moat enclosing an island which measures 66m by 42m, and which
may originally have been as large as 66m by 80m, orientated north-south. The
moat is 14m wide at its widest point, 8m at its narrowest and up to 1.5m deep.
Cropmarks on aerial photographs indicate that the east arm of the moat
formerly extended a further 42m south and incorporated a causeway in the
centre of the arm. Earthworks on the island indicate that the foundations of
structures survive as buried features. The date at which the moated site
was constructed is not clear, although it is likely to have been built during
the main period of moat building, between 1250 and 1350.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32357
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
