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 moated site located some 310m to the south of the site
of Cranley Green. Three arms of the moat remain open and water-filled,
enclosing the north east, south east and south west sides of a rectangular
central island with internal dimensions of approximately 67m north east-south
west by 63m. The north western arm of the moat is shown on an estate map of
1840 and, although it has been infilled, it will survive as a buried feature.
The inner edge of the infilled arm is still defined in part by a slight, north
west-facing scarp. The parts of the moat which are open measure about 5m in
width on average, but a gentle scarp up to 3m wide above the inner edge of the
south eastern arm indicates that, on that side at least, it may have been
recut within a wider feature.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
30598
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
