Details

The moated site at Chequer Court, on the north-west side of Ash, comprises a
generally wide and water-filled moat, each arm some 60m in length, which has
an integral fishpond at the south-west corner and which defines an almost
square moat island. The central part of the island is occupied by a house of
16th century origin which is listed Grade II and which is excluded from the
scheduling, although the archaeological remains beneath the building are
included.
Moated sites are generally seen as the prestigious residences of the Lords of
the Manor. The moat marked the high status of the occupier of the site, but
also served to deter casual raiders and wild animals. Most moats were built
between 1250 and 1350, and it is to this period that the example at Chequer
Court is likely to date.
The series of fishponds, or perhaps a silt trap and fishponds, evident at the
south-west corner of the moat (which is the upstream side as is usual on such
sites) would have provided fish for the table. A leat has been cut at the
north-west corner of the moat to allow water from the moat to return to its
natural stream course. The causeway which provides access to the site from
the east is likely to preserve the position of the original entrance.
All above ground structures on the moat island are excluded from the
scheduling but the ground beneath them is included.

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.

The moated site at Chequer Court is of particular importance because the moat
survives essentially intact and only a small part of the moat island is
affected by the presence of a later building. The site is also of high
archaeological potential, both because the moat remains wet and therefore is
likely to preserve normally perishable artefacts as well as evidence of the
climate and economy of the manor, and because on the island the foundations of
the original buildings are likely to be preserved as evidence of the
organisation and development of the manor in the Middle Ages.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
07 Jan 1985, TR 25 NE 9, (1985)
Darvill, T, MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Moats, (1989)
Listed buildings Vol. 1891 5/26,

Source: Historic England