Details

To the north-east of Wake's Farm are the remains of a rectangular moated site.
The moat forms a flat rectangular terrace, roughly 30m x 60m in area, which
cuts back into the hillside so that the outer edges of the northern and
eastern arms are higher than the top of the island. The ditch, which is
visible as a slight depression, is about 5m wide on three arms and almost 10m
wide on its south-eastern arm. Partial infilling of the moat took place
within the last few years and there are recent observations which record that
the moat was originally 2-3m deep and contained standing water. The central
island measures about 40m by 20m. There are three mounds, about 4m across and
0.5m high, located at the edge of the island on the southern, eastern and
northern arms. These mounds are considered to be the remains of buildings on
the island and fragments of worked stone were found on the island when it was
first ploughed. Previous observations also record that the moat was
associated with a large, oval fishpond, 30m by 15m in size, which lay 40m or
so to the south-east and was attached by a leat to the southern corner of the
moat.
The history of the moat is linked to that of Wakes Manor, which is known to
have belonged to Ralf de Wake in the 13th century. Buildings are shown on the
moat island in a parish map of 1765.

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.

Although the moat at Wake's End has been partially infilled, the site is well
documented historically and retains considerable potential for the survival of
building remains in the interior.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Knox, R, Moated Sites Survey, (1981)
Other
Allden, A., SMR 41 ref. 6, (1979)
CRO MA 74/1, (1808)
CRO R 1/248, (1765)
P.A.S., Ordnance Survey Record, (1973)

Source: Historic England