Moated site in Beeton's Plantation

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 with two islands in Beeton's Plantation survives well. Both islands remain relatively undisturbed by post-medieval and modern activity and will retain evidence for structures and other features relating to the development and use of the site throughout its occupation. The buried silts in the base of the moat will contain artefacts relating to the period of occupation. Organic materials, 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 other examples both locally and more widely will provide valuable insights into the nature of settlement in the area.

Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site in Beeton's Plantation which is located 110m south east of Dowel's Farm and 750m to the WSW of Seven Elms Green. The moated site incorporates two adjacent islands, both rectangular in plan, which are situated side by side and separated by an intervening arm of the moat. The southern island measures a maximum of 72m ENE-WSW by 54m NNW-SSE and is raised by about 1m above the surrounding ground surface. The northern island measures up to 84m ENE-WSW by 50m NNW-SSE, and a depression towards its southern corner is thought to represent a pond. A causeway across the dividing arm of the moat provides access between the two islands. The southern island is surrounded on all sides by a partly waterfilled moat which measures up to 10m in width and 3m deep. This moat extends along the WSW side and part of the NNW side of the northern island. It is believed that it originally continued along the remaining section of the NNW side and the ENE side of the northern island, but was infilled and now survives as a buried feature. Its outline is followed by a drainage ditch. The fencing around the moated site is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath it 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:

33304

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Title: 2nd Edition 25" Ordnance Survey Map Source Date: 1904 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: 53.13
Title: Cowlinge Tithe Map Source Date: 1846 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: SRO(Bury):T74/1,2

End of official list entry

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