Details

The monument includes Blakenhall moated site. It contains a raised island
c.57m square upon which stands the early 17th century Blakenhall farmhouse.
Surrounding the island on three sides is a dry moat up to 10m wide at the base
and 2.5m deep. The moat's western arm has been infilled. Access to the island
is through a 17th century gatehouse and across a brick bridge spanning the
southern arm.
Blakenhall was the principal seat of the Minor family who appear in
documentary sources during the reigns of King John (1199-1216) and Henry III
(1216-72). The house subsequently passed through various families including
Chippendale c.1600, Bromfield c.1650, Webb c.1700, Whittaker around the late
18th century, and Larkham after this. Blakenhall farmhouse and the gatehouse
are both Listed Buildings Grade II.
Blakenhall farmhouse, the gatehouse, a garage, outbuildings, all fences,
walls, driveways, pathways, service pipes, inspection chambers and an oil
storage tank are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath all
these features is included.

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 monument at Blakenhall survives well and is a good example of a medieval
moated manor house. The site has been occupied continuously for 800 years and
remains of the earlier manor house will exist beneath the present farmhouse
and upon the island.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
The Victoria History of the County of Staffordshire: Volume I, (1908), 358
Shaw, S, History of Staffordshire, (1801), 116-7
Other
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1988)
DOE, List of Buildings of Historic & Architectural Interest,
DOE, List of Buildings of Historic & Architectural Interest,
SMR No 930, Staffs SMR, Blakenhall : Barton-under-Needwood,

Source: Historic England