Details

The monument includes the remains of a moat and its associated platforms
and enclosures. The moated enclosure is rectangular in shape measuring
about 40m east-west by 50m north-south including the surrounding 10m
wide moat. The island is raised about 1.5m above the surrounding area.
The surface is flat with no visible evidence for internal buildings or
other features. The ditch is currently dry but is believed to have once
contained water which drained into a wide leat at the south-east corner.
Associated with the moated site are a series of platforms and enclosures
including a 50m square platform adjacent to the south side of the moat.
Additional ditches, scarps and enclosures are located around the moated
enclosure but mainly downslope to its south. These outer earthworks are
considered to be subsidiary manorial enclosures contemporary with the
Medieval occupation of the site.

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.

This site is a fine example of a small Bedfordshire rectangular moated
enclosure. The importance of the site is further enhanced by the
occurrence of adjacent enclosures and cultivation earthworks which
provide a contemporary setting far the monument.

The site of the scheduled monument is shown outlined in black and highlighted
in red on the attached "Scheduled Monument" map extract and includes a 2m
boundary around the archaeological features, on all but the southern boundary
of the site, which is considered essential for the monument's support and
preservation.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Coleman, S, Watching brief on drainage trenching at Bolebec Farm Maulden, 1980, SMR ref 13
SMR record, Simco, A, Maulden, Bolebec Farm, (1979)
UK/2097-3222-3, RAF (1947) UK/2097-3222-3, (1947)

Source: Historic England