Moated site 300m north west of Hunts Park Farm

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.

The moated site 300m north west of Hunts Park Farm survives well. The island is believed to be largely undisturbed by post-medieval and modern activity and will retain buried evidence for structures and other features relating to the development and character of the site throughout its periods of occupation. The buried silts in the base of the moat will contain artefacts relating to the period of occupation, and organic evidence including evidence for the local environment in the past, are also likely to be preserved in waterlogged deposits in the moat.

Comparisons between this site and with further examples, both locally and more widely, will provide valuable insights into the development and nature of settlement in medieval England.

Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site which is located in an isolated position about 1.25km south west of Great Thurlow village centre.

The moated site includes a sub-rectangular island measuring a maximum of 58m north east to south west by 52m north west to south east. This is enclosed by a water-filled moat, measuring up to 10m wide and 2.5m deep. A causeway across the south eastern arm of the moat is not thought to be original.

The remains of a derelict brick and timber building and associated brick outhouse on the island are thought to be associated with Glebe Farm, which was formerly located to the south of the moated site. These structures are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

33310

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: Ordnance Survey 25" Map Source Date: 1959 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: SRO
SMR, Glebe farm, Great Thurlow, Haverhill and District Archaeological Group, (1978)

End of official list entry

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