Scheduled Monument: Moated Site of Nunnery at Slipton Lodge (1011037)

DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT This moated site lies to the north west of Slipton Lodge and is now considered to be the site of the medieval park keeper's lodge, although it was previously thought to have been the site of a nunnery. The moat area is of trapezoidal shape, with an east ditch approximately 85m long, a west ditch of 47m, and north and south ditches about 120m in length. The ditches are up to 2.5m deep and 7m in width, and on the north ditch an outer bank 0.5m high and an inner bank 1m high can be seen. The moat lies just within a deer park, and around the west and south sides of the moat runs the remains of the bank of the deer park pale about 3m wide and 1m high. On the east side of the moat are the remains of a pond, and a water channel runs eastwards from both pond and moat ditches. At present the moat ditches are dry but have been waterlogged in the recent past. The moat island contains slightly raised rectangular areas, suggesting the location of former buildings. There is no clear causeway or position of a bridge for access to the island, although remains of exposed stonework on the south east corner of the island may be indication of an access point. 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. Slipton Lodge is a good example of a moated park keeper's residence on the edge of a medieval deer park. It retains high archaeological potential with remains of former buildings preserved on the island.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2023 9:45AM