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 medieval moated
site and fishpond occupying a low-lying position and surrounded by gently
undulating land. This is considered to be the site of Moat House, which was
occupied by the Onley family in the 15th and 16th centuries. There is a
memorial brass plate to John Onley (died 1512) and his wife in the nearby
Church of St John the Baptist at Withington.
The moat defines a square island approximately 37m across. The arms of the
moat are between 8m and 20m wide, and the north eastern arm has been extended
by 40m to the south east to form an enlarged reservoir, which probably served
as a fishpond. All the moat arms, including the extension, are waterlogged.
The outer edges of the south eastern and north eastern moat arms and the
extension have been cut by modern drainage ditches.
All fence posts 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:
33821
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
