Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site known as Tadgells which is
located on the eastern edge of the hamlet of Housham Tye and to the east of
Carter's Green. The name `Tadgells' is first recorded as Taggles in 1327,
after the family of John Tagel.

The moated site includes a rectangular island measuring approximately 30m east
to west by at least 36m north to south. The island is contained by a
water-filled moat or ditch on the east, south and west sides. This measures up
to 10m wide and a maximum of 2m deep. The northern arm of the moat, which now
survives as a buried feature, was infilled at some time prior to 1896, when
the 2nd edition 25 inch Ordnance Survey map was drawn up. A 6m section at the
northern end of the eastern arm appears to have been infilled after 1896 when
it was depicted on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map as open and
water-filled. The remaining open section of the eastern moat ditch has also
since been partly infilled and now can be seen to narrow towards the northern
end.

There is some indication of a building platform marking the site of an earlier
house towards the southern side of the island, perhaps a forerunner to the
present Grade II Listed Building, which dates from the 15th century with 16th
and 17th additions immediately to the north of the moated site. A post-
medieval bakehouse/dairy stands partly on the northern side of the island and
is connected to the house via a modern brick built passageway.

A rectangular water feature, immediately to the west of the moat which
surrounds the adjacent plot of land and is linked to the southern end of the
western arm of the moat, is thought to represent an enclosure defined by
drains, of which there are many encompassing gardens and land plots in the
immediate area.

The former bakehouse/dairy together with the glasshouse, fencing, gates and
all other modern pathways and surfaces are excluded from the scheduling,
although the ground beneath these features 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.

Despite some infilling of the northern arm and part of the eastern arm of the
moat the moated site known as Tadgells survives well. The island remains
largely undisturbed and will retain buried evidence for structures and other
features relating to the earlier periods of occupation. The buried silts in
the base of the ditches will contain both artefacts relating to the period of
occupation and environmental evidence for the appearance of the landscape in
which the monument is set. In particular, the buried northern arm of the moat,
infilled prior to 1896, may retain sealed deposits from still earlier periods.

Tadgells moat lies in an area where moated sites are fairly numerous, with
further moated sites situated in the parish of Matching, in Matching Park,
600m to the ENE, at Matching Hall, 2km to the north east, and at Stocks Hall
on Matching Green, 3.3km to the ENE. Comparative studies between these sites
and with further examples from other regions will provide significant insights
into the developments of settlement and many other aspects of medieval society
in England.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Reaney, PH, Place names of Essex, (1935), 46
Other
Title: Ordnance Survey 2nd Edition 25" Map
Source Date: 1896
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
Essex Record Office: 41/12
Title: Ordnance Survey Card now SMR
Source Date: 1975
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
TL51SW25
Title: Tithe Map of Matching
Source Date: 1843
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
Essex Record Office:

Source: Historic England