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 a medieval moated site at Moat Farm, approximately 230m
to the north east of Milden parish church. The moated site is thought to
represent the manor of Bures or Bowers which belonged to the de Bures family
in the beginning of the 14th century. Robert de Bures had free warren here in
1314. By 1365 the manor was held by Sir Grey de Sancto Claro, and it
subsequently passed to the Spring family in the late 15th century. By 1575 the
manor was known by the name of Bowers, and by the beginning of the 20th
century was known as Bowery Farm.
The moated site includes a roughly rectangular island, measuring 50m east-west
by up to 30m north-south, raised about 0.5m above the surrounding ground
surface. This is contained on all four sides by a water-filled moat measuring
an average of 6m across, which has been enlarged externally at the north east
corner to form a small pond-like feature. The causeway across the south arm of
the moat is known to have been in use before 1839 and is believed to represent
the original access to the island, whilst the wooden footbridge which crosses
the south arm of the moat is modern. The centre of the island is occupied by
Moat Farm, a timber-framed Listed Building Grade II. The house dates from the
16th century and is believed to represent a successor to an earlier house on
the island.
The farmhouse, the footbridge, the greenhouse, the septic tank, all walls,
steps, spotlights, together with the surface of the patio, driveway and other
modern made surfaces are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground
beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
33299
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
