Scheduled Monument: Walgrave Moated Site (1011036)

DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The moated site at Walgrave lies to the north of Walgrave village and forms part of the present village recreation ground. The site is considered to be the location of the manor house and of a small associated fish pond. The moated area is square and is almost completely surrounded by a flat bottomed ditch up to 3m deep and 10m wide. The moat system was supplied by the small stream which runs to the east of the site and the east ditch of the moat is still waterlogged. This stream also supplies water to the small pond which lies to the north of the moat and a water channel links the moat ditches and the pond. To the west and south of the moated site are the earthwork remains of further water channels which formed part of the water management system on the site. The moat island is about 35m square and is reached by a narrow causeway which crosses the west ditch. On the south side of the moat island a raised rectangular building platform indicates the site of a former building. 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. Walgrave moat is the location of the medieval manor house of the village and as the island is well preserved and undisturbed it will retain archaeological evidence of the period. The site has a well defined and complex system of water channels and small ponds which surround the manor house site.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2023 9:44AM