Details

Goodfellows moated site is the most northerly of the Reed group of 6 moats,
lying on the west side of Church Lane. The sub-rectangular moat covers an
area of approximately 52m north-south by 80m east-west. Three of the four
arms are identifiable and enclose an island area on which is located
Goodfellows Farm; the farm buildings are believed to cover the eastern arm of
the moat. The southern and western arms of the moat are heavily silted and
are represented by elongate depressions about 3m wide and 0.5m deep. The
northern arm survives in the form of two adjacent fishponds measuring 27m by
20m and 10m by 22m respectively. The larger of the two lies next to the main
road.
Excluded from the scheduling are the house and the farm buildings. The
ground beneath these buildings is, however, 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 Goodfellows is relatively well preserved and its
significance is increased by the fact that it is one of an unusual
concentration of six recorded moats in the village of Reed.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
SMR No: 070250, Information from SMR,

Source: Historic England