Details

The monument includes the medieval moated enclosure and an adjacent series
of building platforms. The moated enclosure is `D' shaped in plan and
measures some 85m along the straight southern edge of the moat. The
surrounding moat is 8m wide and about 1.2m deep and is dry except for part
of the east arm. Prominent external banks, surviving up to 1m high, flank the
west and east sides. The island is believed to be the site of a manor house
and a number of deep hollows mark the position of former buildings. A square
platform outside the north-east corner of the moat forms part of an original
entrance to the moated enclosure. To the east a number of rectangular
platforms mark the site of at least five buildings associated with the
medieval moat. Some of the platforms survive up to 0.3m in height while
others are defined by wall lines and hollows partly obscured by vegetation.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Around 6000 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
or, in some cases, which were used for horticulture. The peak period during
which moated sites were built was between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the
greatest concentration lies in the 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 in understanding the distribution of wealth and status in the
countryside. Many examples provide conditions favourable to the survival of
organic remains.
Both the moated enclosure and the adjacent building platforms survive in
very good condition. The archaeological significance of this monument is
increased by the direct association of these remains.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Goddard, A R, The Victoria History of the County of Bedfordshire, (1904), 305-6
Other
Aldsworth, F G, Ordnance Survey Record, (1968)

Source: Historic England