Details

The monument in the parish of Newtown Linford is within the medieval Bradgate
Park and includes a moated site. The rectangular moat measures approximately
55m x 40m and has arms which are 1.5m deep and 3m-4m wide. The remains of an
earthen entrance causeway are situated midway along the southern arm leading
to the main carriageway through the park.
The medieval Bradgate Park was in existence by 1241 and survives today as a
country park, although with a slightly different boundary. The moated area is
likely to be the site of an early park lodge and is situated 200m to the west
of the remains of the late 15th century mansion built by the Grey family.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

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 in Bradgate Park is an important survival of a medieval lodge
contained within a well documented deer park. The site survives well. The
island site will retain evidence of medieval lodge buildings.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Hartley, R F, The Medieval Earthworks of Central Leicestershire, (1989), 10,21

Source: Historic England