Moated site in Boybridge Grove, 720m north east of Down Hall 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 in Boybridge Grove, 720m north east of Down Hall Farm, is a well-preserved example which is largely undisturbed. The island will retain archaeological deposits, including structural remains and artefacts relating to its construction and period of use and to the status and lifestyles of its occupants. The moat will retain, as well as further artefacts, waterlogged organic and environmental deposits. These will provide dietary information and may illustrate the nature of the landscape in which the monument was set.

Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site situated in Boybridge Grove, 720m north east of Down Hall Farm. The island is roughly trapezoidal in plan, measuring approximately 39m WNW to ESE by a maximum of about 22m NNE to SSW. The remains of a former manor house are thought to survive beneath the present ground surface. The surrounding seasonally wet moat is filled by surface water. It is steep sided and up to about 3m wide, the depth varying between 1m and 2m. Access to the island is thought to have been by a bridge. The moat's eastern arm is adapted from a section of the Cheney Water. The site has been associated with the medieval manor at Grendons. It is thought that the name Boybridge is a corruption of Billboys, the name of the family who held the manor between 1268 and 1316.

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:

33596

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
The Victoria History of the County of Hertfordshire: Volume II, (1908)

End of official list entry

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