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 situated on low-lying Head deposits on the
north western edge of Bratton, a springline village built beneath the northern
scarp of Salisbury Plain.
The area enclosed by the moat is square, measuring 22m across, flat-topped and
rises 0.8m above the surrounding area. The sides of this island slope steeply
into the moat which is 1.3m deep and between 5m and 8m wide. The moat is lined
with clay in order to hold water but it is now dry. Surrounding the moat is a
low bank up to 1m high and 2m wide. To the south east the boundary wall of a
house plot has been built over the bank. This wall is not included in the
scheduling.
To the east the bank supports a hedge bank adjacent to the road. To the west
the moat has been partially infilled with stone to protect it from a track
which crosses at this point, but it survives as a buried feature.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
33530
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
