Scheduled Monument: Lordsfields Farm Moated Site (1011014)

DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT This moated site lies to the south west of Lordsfields Farm and is approximately 40m square. The moat island is surrounded by a substantial ditch approximately 10m wide and 1.5m deep which has small extended arm in the north western corner. Parts of the north east and the north west corners of the moat ditches are waterlogged. A small outer bank about 0.5m high is preserved on the west side of the moat and the central island is oval and measures approximately 20m x 17m. This moat is considered to be the site of the manor house of Whittlebury and maps of the early eighteenth century show a building on the island with a bridge across the ditch near the south east corner. At present access to the island is by a narrow causeway on the east arm. ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE 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. Lordsfield Farm site presents a well preserved example of a small square moat which was the site of a medieval manor house. The moat island is relatively undisturbed and therefore offers considerable potential for the preservation of important remains of the house structure. The waterlogged and sizeable moat ditches have potential for retention of environmental information.

Record last edited

Oct 4 2022 10:01AM