Details

The monument south of Rectory Road includes a rectangular moated site situated
on an east-facing slope overlooking the River Colne, 170m east of St Peter's
Church, Sible Hedingham. The moated site measures 70m NE-SW by 50m NW-SE. The
moat arms are dry and are 15m wide and 2.9m deep. The island is raised about
1m from the surrounding ground level and is considered to have been used as a
garden or orchard.
The aviary building is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground
beneath it is 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 south of Rectory Road is well preserved and will retain
archaeological information relating to its construction and use.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
NAR NO: TL 73 SE 19, Information From the National Archaeological Record,

Source: Historic England