Moated site 360m north of Joanshill 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 360m north of Joanshill Farm survives as a well-preserved example of a medieval moat. The island will be expected to preserve evidence of former structures, including both domestic and ancillary buildings and their associated occupation levels. These remains will illustrate the nature of the site's use, the lifestyle of its inhabitants and will facilitate dating of the construction and subsequent periods of use. The enclosure will provide evidence for the agricultural regime and stock management. The form of the moated site, defining both an island and its associated enclosure, is unusual. The moat and pond will be expected to preserve earlier deposits including evidence of their construction and any alterations. The waterlogged condition of the moat and pond will preserve environmental information such as pollen and seeds which will provide evidence for the ecosystem and landscape in which they were constructed.

Details

The monument includes the buried and earthwork remains of the medieval moated site and adjacent pond 360m north of Joanshill Farm, located at the foot of the hill between Limburies Wood and the Pentaloe Brook. The site is oriented east to west, with the Pentaloe Brook forming its northernmost boundary and consists of a moat 90m long by 45m wide and up to 2m deep and a pond 40m by 8m, both of which are waterlogged. The moat is formed by dams to the west and east 4m wide by up to 1.5m high and 8m wide by up to 1.5m high respectively. A bank 2m high, excavated from the rising land is located to the south. The moat surrounds an island and an enclosure. The enclosure, which measures 20m by 12m, is formed by banks between 1m and 2m high and 3m to 6m wide. It is located at the western end of the moated site and has a causeway 4m wide by 1m to 2m high connecting its south east corner to the south bank of the moat. Approximately 8m to the east of the enclosure is a 22m square island which is 1m to 2m high. There is no evidence of a formal access to the island which is likely to have been by bridge. The pond lies immediately to the east of the moat and is connected to the Pentaloe Brook by a leat at its eastern end. The pond is approximately 0.8m deep and measures 18m by 4m, connecting to the moat through a gap in the eastern dam. All modern fencing 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.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

31967

Legacy System:

RSM

End of official list entry

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