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 moated site at Haigh. At present the island is
occupied by an 18th century house, which is a Listed Building Grade II, with a
small cellar and outbuildings to the north. Although there is no documentary
evidence of the original occupation, the island was the site of a medieval
hall.
The moat is now dry and preserved as a garden feature. It is square with each
side measuring 50m on the outside. The sides are stone lined to a depth of
0.75m and on average the moat is 1.5m deep and 8m wide. Material thrown up by
the excavation of the moat appears to have been placed to the south to build
up the side of the watercourse into a shallow dam.
On the southern corner of the east side there is a causewayed entrance to
take service traffic. This is not original. On the north side, almost in the
centre, there are the remains of a stone bridge beneath the outbuilding which
lies over the moat. This may represent the original approach to the island.
The house and its outbuildings are excluded from the scheduling, although the
ground beneath them is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27587
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
