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Latitude: 52.6247 / 52°37'28"N
Longitude: -2.0697 / 2°4'10"W
OS Eastings: 395376.751485
OS Northings: 302990.293788
OS Grid: SJ953029
Mapcode National: GBR 1T3.2J
Mapcode Global: WHBFT.59P6
Entry Name: Moat House moated site
Scheduled Date: 25 November 1969
Last Amended: 12 November 1991
Source: Historic England
Source ID: 1011877
English Heritage Legacy ID: 13470
County: Staffordshire
Civil Parish: Essington
Built-Up Area: Willenhall
Traditional County: Staffordshire
Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Staffordshire
Church of England Parish: Essington St John the Evangelist
Church of England Diocese: Lichfield
The monument is a moated site located at the foot of rising ground in
undulating landscape. The site includes a raised wooded island measuring
c.43m x 40m upon which are the overgrown foundations of a cottage and outhouse
demolished about 1940. Surrounding the island is a predominantly
waterlogged/boggy moat 7.5-9m wide x 1-1.5m deep. Access to the island is via
a low causeway on the E side. The monument is unexcavated. All fences are
excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
Source: Historic England
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.
Despite the overgrown appearance of the site the original form of the
monument's earthworks is still clearly evident. Remains of the original
buildings which occupied the island will survive whilst the surrounding moat
retains conditions suitable for the preservation of organic remains.
Source: Historic England
Other
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)
Mr Bibby (Site Owner), To Robinson, K.D. MPPFW, (1990)
PRN NO. 189, Staffordshire SMR, Essington Moat: Essington,
Source: Historic England
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