Details

The monument includes a sub-rectangular moated site and surrounding earthwork
enclosure 100m south of Chelworth Farm. The moat is aligned east-west with a
single causeway facing west. The site has maximum external dimensions of
approximately 80m across with the island 60-70m across. The moat is up to 10m
wide and deepest on the west side where it survives to a depth of 2m. Piles
of rubble, possibly associated with an original structure, survive in the
ditch to the west and north of the island. Also a large amount of rubble
under a thin grass cover survives on the interior. The interior also has
slight traces of an inner bank. Outer earthworks surround the moat. These
includes a cresent-shaped outer bailey with slight inner bank and dry ditch to
the north-east.

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.

Although a large number of moated sites are known, relatively few survive in
Wiltshire. This example is of particular importance as it survives well and
has a good range of associated earthworks surrounding the site.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,

Source: Historic England