Details

The monument includes a moated site of medieval date, the site of the manor
house of Butterby or Beautrove which passed to the Lumley family in AD 1240.
The site has a flat platform or island, rectangular in shape measuring 65m
north west to south east by 55m north east to south west. It is surrounded by
a broad flat ditch, now dry, 8m wide and on average 3m deep. This is very well
preserved on the north, east and west sides but has been partially infilled on
the southern side. The edges of the ditch are revetted with a brick and stone
wall with one course clearly projecting at the bottom. Access to the island
was provided at the east side by a bridge across the ditch, which has now been
replaced by a causeway. A late 16th or early 17th century gatehouse of two
storeys was constructed at the eastern end of the bridge; this has
subsequently been demolished but its foundations are still visible in the
roadway approaching the moat. The moated site was originally the home of Roger
d'Audre who was granted licence to build a chapel or chantry in his oratory at
Beautrove in the 12th century. Low Butterby Farmhouse and the adjoining farm
are Listed Grade II*, as are the moat walls, two bridges across the moat and
the garden wall and gate piers.
The following features are excluded from the scheduling but the ground beneath
them is included: the bridge across the ditch into the present farmhouse and
the adjacent piers of another bridge, Low Butterby Farmhouse and all above
ground structures situated upon the island including all fences, buildings and
walls. The listed walls revetting the moat are included.

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 Low Butterby Farm is well preserved and is one of only a
small number of moated sites identified in Durham.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: County Durham, (1983)
Surtees, R, The Victoria History of the County of Durham, (1905)
Other
NZ 23 NE 04,

Source: Historic England