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 at Doveden Hall, 1.35km from
Whepstead parish church.
The moat island is roughly square, measuring up to 46m across, and is
surrounded by a waterfilled moat measuring an average 10m in width and up to
2m deep. A causeway across the west arm of the moat is believed to represent
the original access to the island, whilst a brick bridge which crosses the
south arm of the moat is believed to be later in date. A stable block, which
abuts the outer edge of the western arm of the moat to the south of the
causeway, is not included in the scheduling.
The centre of the island is occupied by Doveden Hall, a Listed Building Grade
II of 15th century date. The hall takes the form of a three cell open hall
house, with a projecting cross wing at the south end which was extended in the
16th century. The moated site is thought to represent the manor of Doveton
Hall, also known as Dorrington Hall and Duffin Hall which was given, with
associated lands, to the Abbey of St Edmunds in 1292. In 1545, after the
Dissolution of the Monasteries, the manor was granted by the Crown to Sir
George Somerset of Badmondisfield. It was later sold to Thomas Bacon, and in
1550 it passed to Roger Frost and continued in the Frost family until 1688.
Doveden Hall, all outhouses and sheds, walls and fences, the bridge across the
southern arm of the moat, and the swimming pool, together with all modern man-
made surfaces, are excluded from the scheduling; although the ground beneath
all these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
33306
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals 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
