Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site at Manor Farm which lies 300m to
the south of the village of Teversham. It is thought to be associated with the
manor of Dengayne.

The moated site includes a roughly rectangular island which measures up to
128m north east-south west by 62m north west-south east. This is enclosed by a
seasonally water-filled moat, measuring up to 8m wide and at least 1.5m in
depth, along the south west side, the greater part of the north west
side and part of the south east side. The north east side and the north
eastern ends of the north west and south east sides were infilled during the
19th century and survive as buried features. The moated site was formerly
linked to a series of interconnected water-filled channels and drainage
systems, now no longer evident. A causeway, thought to be the original access
point, was formerly located across the centre of the south east arm of the
moat. Standing near the north western edge of the island is Manor Farm, a
Listed Building Grade II which is believed to date from the 17th century; this
represents a successor to the medieval manor house which is thought to have
stood on the island.

Manor Farm, all farm buildings, walls, modern surfaces, fences and gateways
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.
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.

Despite partial infilling of the ditch, the moated site at Manor Farm survives
well. The island is largely undisturbed and will retain buried evidence for
structures and other features relating to its former use. 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 moated site was set.

Comparative studies between this site and with further examples, both locally
and more widely, will provide valuable insights into the development of
settlement in medieval England.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Salzman, L F, The Victoria History of the County of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely, (1948), 42
Stokes, A H, Moated Sites Research Group, (1984)
Other
RCHM: North East Cambs., (1972)
Title: 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map
Source Date: 1886
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
CRO: XLII:4
Title: Enclosure map of Teversham
Source Date: 1810
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
CRO: Q/RDc 22

Source: Historic England