Details

The monument includes the remains of a medieval moated site at Halstead Hall.
A series of earthworks defines a sub-rectangular moat up to 10m in width and a
maximum of 2.5m in depth. The north western side of the moat is approximately
82m in length and includes a central earthen causeway up to 7m in width which
is considered to represent the original access to the island. The north
eastern side of the moat is approximately 75m in length and includes the
remains of rectangular brick-bonded foundations approximately 1.5m by 2m on
either bank. These are considered to represent modern features possibly
marking the location of a narrow footbridge across the moat. The south eastern
side of the moat is up to 67m in length and the south western length
approximately 70m. A linear bank approximately 57m in length, 5m in width and
up to 1.5m in height which is parallel with but slightly beyond the south
western side of the moat is believed to include the remains of a bank of
medieval date which has been overlain by spoil taken from the moat in modern
times. Excavations between 1980 and 1984 recovered material suggesting a date
of about 1290 for the initial phase of moat construction.

The earliest documentary reference to the site is a deed witnessed by Lord
Theobald of Halstead in 1281. The hall itself is believed to have been built
by a member of the Welby family, a reference to the property being made in the
will of Richard Welby dated to 1465. The interior of the moated site is
occupied by the present Halstead Hall, a Grade I Listed Building which is
excluded from the scheduling although the ground beneath it is included. Dated
externally to the late 15th or early 16th century, this building is thought to
represent the sole surviving wing of a much more extensive structure
originally covering much of the island. Part excavation has revealed that an
earlier building within the moat was probably of the three-sided courtyard
type.

All standing buildings, fences and modern surfacing are excluded from the
scheduling although 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 remains of the moated site at Halstead Hall survive particularly well in
the form of a series of substantial earthworks. Although the monument has been
partly excavated a significant percentage remains undisturbed with the result
that preservation of buried deposits will be good. In addition the waterlogged
nature of the eastern and western stretches of the moat indicate a high level
of survival for organic remains. As a result of the survival of historical
documentation relating to the site, the remains are quite well understood and
contribute to our knowledge about the development and utilization of manorial
moated sites.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Robinson, D, 'Lincolnshire Life, June 1991' in Halstead Hall, (1991)
Other
Crane, W S, (1997)
Lincolnshire County SMR: PRN 40033,
Listing Report - Halstead Hall, (1966)
RCHME, NMR Complete Listing: TF 16 NE 10,

Source: Historic England