Details

This site lies on slightly elevated ground above the Manxey Level. The
remains include a moated site, fishpond and hollow way. The rectangular moat
85m by 60m encloses an island where buildings would have been located. The
site has an additional outer moat on three sides. To the west of the moat
lies a fishpond, while earthworks to the north indicate the likely original
access route to the monument in the form of an hollow way.
Moated sites are generally seen as the prestigious residences of the Lords of
the manor. The moat marked the high status of the occupier, but also served
to deter casual raiders and wild animals. Most moats were constructed in the
period around 1300 AD, and it is to this period that the example at Pound
Piece is likely to date.
The undulating nature of the western part of the island strongly suggests that
foundations of the original buildings lie in this area. The fishpond on the
west side is linked to the moat by a leat, the water flowing on into the moat
probably being controlled by a sluice. The hollow way leading to the site
from the north-west passes the boundaries of other enclosures and abuts the
outer moat at a point where the remains of a bridge onto the island may be
expected. Part of the outer moat at its north-east corner has been
incorporated into the more recent drainage system.
The modern drainage ditches in all cases lie outside the scheduled area. The
upstanding remains of the sheepfolds within the constraint area are excluded
from the scheduling along with existing fencing.

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.

The moated site at Pound Piece survives well and displays a broad diversity of
component parts such as the outer bank, the fishpond, the approach lane and
additional enclosures as well as the moat and its island. It is also of high
archaeological potential, not having been disturbed by more recent building.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
'Medieval Archaeology' in Medieval Britain in 1961, , Vol. 6/7, (1963)
Other
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)
TQ 60 NE 3,

Source: Historic England