Details

The monument includes a small square moated site and two associated
fishponds 100m south of Clappers Farm. The moat is orientated NNW-SSE
and comprises a raised platform c. 25m square surrounded by a water-
filled ditch. This survives to a width of 12m and a depth of up to
0.5m. The moat is stream fed and usually maintains a constant flow of
water. The site is located in the south-east corner of an early 13th
century deer park and is surrounded on the south, east and west sides
by a flat-topped bank and ditch, the former surviving to a height of
up to 1m. Two narrow linear fishponds survive to the north of the
complex. There are no traces of a building visible within the moated
area, although the site is considered to be that of a park lodge or a
seigneurial residence.

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 a large number of moated sites are known in England,
relatively few survive in Hampshire. This example is particularly
important as it has high potential for the survival of organic and
archaeological remains, detailed historical documentation and displays
a good range of features.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Stamper, P, Medieval Hampshire: studies in landscape history, (1983), 250
Other
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Fishponds, 1988,
Dennison, E and Darvill, T, HBMC Monument Class Description - Moats, 1988,

Source: Historic England