Details

The moated site at Dunton Bassett is situated on high ground within the
village 100m north of the church and includes a small fishpond.
The monument is a sub-rectangular moated site orientated east-west and
measuring 60 x 50m. It has two well defined moat arms on the north and east
sides 6m wide and 1.5m deep with an internal bank. Traces of a southern arm
less than 0.5m deep can be seen parallel to the field boundary. The western
arm appears to have been infilled. There are building foundations on the
eastern side of the island measuring 12 x 13m and 0.3m high. A fishpond
measuring 15m square and embanked on the east, is situated on the eastern side
of the moated area and is connected to it by a channel.

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 moat at Dunton Bassett is a good example of a Leicestershire manorial
moated site with a well-preserved fishpond. The moat island is essentially
undisturbed and will retain evidence of the original manorial buildings.

Source: Historic England