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 210m south west of Erratts Farm.
The moated site includes a roughly square island measuring an average of 24m
across. This is enclosed by a partially waterfilled moat, measuring up to 12m
wide and at least 2m in depth. The remains of inlet and outlet channels extend
from the southern corner and the south west and north east arms of the moat
and are linked to drainage ditches. An outer bank, approximately 6m wide by 1m
high and thought to be constructed from material dug from the moat, is visible
along the north eastern arm. The causeway across the south western arm of the
moat was in use in 1846.
The moated site is marked on the 1846 Tithe map as `Moat Plantation'.
The fence along the north east side of the moated site is excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
33303
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
