Details

The monument comprises a moated site formerly occupied by Iddinshall Hall, and
is an unusually large example of its type, measuring c.120m x 100m and
surrounded by a predominantly dry moat 10-12m wide x 2.5m max.depth. The
island possesses an inner bank 6m wide x 0.5m high with access being gained by
a causeway on the E side. On the S side is an outer bank 6m wide x 1m high.
A dry outlet channel issues from the moat's SW corner. The whole site is now
under trees and bushes; various timbers and pieces of dressed stone
litter the copse.
The Canons of St Werburgh held the township of Iddinshall at Domesday and it
is thought likely that an early monastic house or grange existed here. After
the Dissolution Iddinshall was granted to the Dean and Chapter of Chester from
whom it was extorted by Sir Richard Cotton. In 1550 it was sold to the
Hurlestones. By 1810 the hall had been demolished. It has been suggested
that the large size of the moat and its strategic location at the Beeston Gap
indicates the presence here of a Roman fortlet.
All fences are excluded from the scheduling, however, the ground beneath them
is included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

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.

Although the monument is now tree covered it retains considerable
archaeological potential for the recovery of evidence of the structural
foundations of Iddinshall Hall and for the recovery of evidence of an
ecclesiastical precursor thought to have been located here. Future
archaeological investigation is also likely to prove/disprove the suggestion
that a Roman fortlet was located here. In addition the unusually large size
exhibited by this site illustrates well the diversity in form of this class of
monument.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Webb, , Itinerary of Cheshire, (1622)
Ormerod, G, 'History of Cheshire' in History of Cheshire, , Vol. 2, (1882)
Other
6/A.416, County Treasurers Record,
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)
Pagination 28, Mills, G, CAB, (1983)
SMR No. 1846/1, Cheshire SMR, Iddinshall Hall, (1989)

Source: Historic England