Details

The monument is the moated site at Baysgarth Farm. It includes a large sub-
rectangular moated site, a second smaller moated enclosure, and other
associated earthwork features.
The island defined by the main moat measures 150m north-south and 80m east-
west. The surrounding moat, which is now dry, is 10m wide and 2m deep. An
external earthen bank 0.5m high and 5m wide encloses the moat. Two fishponds
extend into the island of the site; one on the western side of the site, the
other on the northern side. Both are connected to the adjacent moat by well-
preserved sluices. A group of buildings originally stood in the south-eastern
quadrant of the island, their former existence indicated by a range of
earthwork features in this area. A channel 20m wide and 2m deep runs eastward
from the moat's eastward arm. This feature is not included in the scheduling
as its date and function is not yet fully understood.
To the immediate north of the large moated site are several building
platforms, the stances for medieval houses, and associated earthworks. To the
west of the large moat is a secondary moated enclosure. The island within this
second moat measures 60m north-south by 50m east-west. The western arm of the
surrounding moat has been destroyed by the excavation of drains along the
adjacent roadside. Elsewhere the moat has mostly been in-filled, but where it
remains visible as an earthwork feature it is between 7m and 10m wide and up
to 1m deep. To the north of this second moated site is an area of ridge and
furrow cultivation. Ridge and furrow also survives to the east of the main
moat, although here it does not survive well and is not included in the
scheduling.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

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 at Baysgarth Farm survives reasonably well. Structural and
artefactual evidence will be preserved on the island and organic material will
be preserved within the silted moat. Additionally the main moat is surrounded
by a complex of other earthwork remains, including a second moated enclosure.
Together these associated remains will contribute to an understanding of the
nature and history of use of the main moated site.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Dennison, E, 'Medieval Settlement Research Group' in Baysgarth Farm, East Halton, , Vol. 4, (1989), 30
Other
CUC AQU 40, Cambridge University,

Source: Historic England