Scheduled Monument: Moated site 1km south west of Rockingham Castle (1012146)

DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument is situated within Rockingham Park, approximately 1km south west of Rockingham Castle, and includes a moated site. The moated site is situated within a former medieval deer park. There are mid-13th century references to the existence of a park at Rockingham which was located to the north east of the moated site. In 1485 the park was enlarged by Henry VII. The moated site is thought to have been constructed prior to the enlargement of the deer park in the 15th century, at which date it was incorporated within the park and subsequently used as a hunting lodge. The moated site has external dimensions of approximately 53m north east-south west and 63m north west-south east. The moat arms average 8m wide and are 1m deep. They are now mostly dry, although the western corner of the moat is seasonally waterfilled. External banks are visible beyond the north western and north eastern arms of the moat and there are slight traces of a bank parallel with the south western arm. Access onto the moated island is via a causeway across the south western moat arm. A map of the site, dated 1615, indicates that the moated island was occupied by a building at this time. It is thought to have been a hunting lodge which provided accommodation for hunting parties within the deer park; James I for example is known to have stayed at the site in the early 17th century. A building is shown as still present on an estate map of 1806, at which date the moated site was approached through an avenue of trees. The building was demolished by Lewis, the third Baron Sondes, in c.1827; although not visible on the ground surface, remains will survive as a buried feature. 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. The moated site located to the south west of Rockingham Castle survives well. Its relationship with the enlargement of the deer park in 1485 is well documented and it forms an integral part of the medieval landscape of the Rockingham estate. The moated island will preserve information relating to both the construction of the building which existed there and its subsequent conversion for use as a hunting lodge. The site also provides evidence illustrating the social context of hunting during the late medieval period.

Record last edited

Feb 23 2022 3:56PM