Details

Nickless moat lies 250m to the south-west of Nickless and is located about 1km
west-south-west of the village of Milson.
The moated site is oval in shape and measures 100m north-south by 60m
east-west. The moat ditch averages 5m in width and is 2.5m deep on all sides
except the west where it is 1m deep. Much of the ditch is water-logged.
There are traces of an outer bank, 0.5m high and 1.5m wide, on the south-west
corner and on the east side of the ditch. A causeway 2.5m wide crosses the
moat ditch on the north-west corner providing access to the island.
On the western side of the island is a water-logged depression, 15m in
diameter, and this may be the site of a small fishpond. In the north-west
corner of the island, and along the east side, raised platforms indicate the
positions of former buildings.
Nickless is considered to be an early homestead moat. It is an isolated site
not situated close to known contemporary settlement. The location may be
attributed to woodland clearance during a period of agricultural expansion in
the area.

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.

Nickless moated site is of uncommon oval plan and is undisturbed. It retains
considerable potential for the survival of archaeological and environmental
remains.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Wilson, D, Moated Sites, (1985)
Watson, M D, 'West Midlands Archaeology' in Medieval Moated Sites in Shropshire, , Vol. 24, (1981)

Source: Historic England