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 earthwork and buried remains of a moated site at
Edlaston. The monument is situated to the west of Edlaston Hall on a terrace
between two small tributaries of the River Dove.
The moated site survives as a series of earthworks and buried remains. The
moat, which is approximately 12m wide, up to 0.5m deep and U-shaped in section
surrounds a sub-rectangular, central platform. The southern and eastern arms
of the ditch have been infilled but their layout is clearly evident from
aerial photographs. The enclosed platform measures approximately 30m by 26m
with evidence of features on its surface. These take the form of low
undulations and are interpreted as the remains of medieval buildings but the
precise layout of these is difficult to define on the ground surface.
All modern fences 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:
29979
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
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
