Three moated sites at The Hyde and Lower Hyde

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 three moated sites at The Hyde and Lower Hyde survive as well-preserved examples of medieval moats, located in close proximity to each other. The islands 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 their construction and subsequent periods of use. The moats are expected to preserve earlier deposits including evidence of their construction and any alterations during their active history. The waterlogged nature of the sites will preserve environmental information such as pollen and seeds which will provide evidence for the ecosystem and landscape in which they were set. In particular, the relationship of the three moated sites is of interest and will provide the opportunity to study changing medieval settlement patterns in the area.

Details

The monument includes the buried and earthwork remains of three moated sites and a cider mill, within two areas of protection at The Hyde and Lower Hyde. The sites are located on generally level land. The first area includes the buried and earthwork remains of the moated site at The Hyde, which is a Listed Building Grade II but is itself not included in the scheduling. A hollow way, which probably served as the original access to the site, runs parallel to the modern road. The moated site includes a moat defining the island which measured approximately 50m by 30m. The northern and eastern arms survive as water-filled features measuring up to 8m wide by 1m deep. The eastern arm survives for approximately 40m, beyond which it is visible as a shallow depression of up to 6m wide by 1m deep. This depression returns westward along the line of the southern arm for approximately 10m. The remainder of the southern arm has been infilled but will survive as a buried feature. The moat is fed by a stream which enters in the north west and exits in the south east. Protected within the second area are the buried and earthwork remains of a rectangular moat, a round moat and a cider mill, located 300m east of The Hyde, at Lower Hyde. The rectangular moat is situated in the south western part of the area and comprises an island surrounded by a moat. The island, which is uneven, measures approximately 35m by 40m. No trace of the original access, which is likely to have been by bridge, is visible. The moat survives to a depth of up to 3m and is up to 12m wide. It is water-filled in the northern and southern arms, and is waterlogged in the western arm. The eastern end of the northern arm widens to approximately 20m by 20m forming a small pond. The eastern arm has been largely infilled but is visible as a slight depression, and will survive as a buried feature. Immediately adjacent to and connected with the north east corner of the rectangular moat is the round moat. It is sub-circular in form and encloses a low, circular island of up to 15m diameter and up to 1.5m high. The moat measures up to 3m deep and 30m wide and is waterlogged. The moat is less distinct to the south of the island. Located midway between the two moated sites are the remains of a cider mill consisting of the circular stone base trough in which the wheel would have run. This trough measures approximately 3m in diameter by approximately 0.5m high. All modern fencing, walling, made up surfaces and garden fixtures 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.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

31969

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
RCHM, Herefordshire, RCHM, RCHM, Herefordshire, (1934)

End of official list entry

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