Details

The site comprises one complete length and two partial return lengths
of a broad, generally dry moat enclosing a raised island some 60m by
40m. The moat may have been square in plan originally; the north-west
arm of the moat appears to have been infilled and the north-west side
of the moat island has been lowered by 0.7m. A hall-house of C15th or
earlier date stands on this NW side of the island, but this house
replaced the original buildings around which the moat had been dug.
Moated sites are generally seen as the prestigious residences of Lords
of the Manor. The moat served not only to mark the high status of the
occupier but also to deter casual raiders and wild animals. The farm
belonged to Christ's Church, Canterbury, from the 11th century, and
was rented by Robert de Romene (Romney) in 1087 according to monastic
records. Henry of Eastry was responsible for the construction of the
moat and its buildings, at a cost of eighty pounds, between 1289 and
1316. No evidence survives above ground of the buildings on the
original moat island, but the date of the upstanding house suggests
that they may have been short-lived. The present building, outside but
adjacent to the scheduled area, is listed grade II*.

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.

Several factors lend particular importance to the moated site at Court
Lodge Farm. Although only a part of the original site remains intact,
there is still a substantial area within which both wet and dry
archaeological remains are thought to survive, making the site of
considerable potential. The moated site is situated beside an early
post-Conquest church with which it must have been linked, and predates
the fine hall-house and contemporary barn, both of 14th/ 15th century
date, on the same site.
The recorded link with Christ's Church, Canterbury, is of additional
interest as it places the site within a much broader historical
framework which is likely to be well-documented.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Garland, C W A, 'Wye Historical Journal' in Court Lodge, Brook, ()
Other
Chant, K, AM107, (1983)
Listed Buildings Vol 1414 4/59,

Source: Historic England