Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site which is located in an isolated
position about 1.25km south west of Great Thurlow village centre.

The moated site includes a sub-rectangular island measuring a maximum of 58m
north east to south west by 52m north west to south east. This is enclosed by
a water-filled moat, measuring up to 10m wide and 2.5m deep. A causeway across
the south eastern arm of the moat is not thought to be original.

The remains of a derelict brick and timber building and associated brick
outhouse on the island are thought to be associated with Glebe Farm, which was
formerly located to the south of the moated site. These structures 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.
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.

The moated site 300m north west of Hunts Park Farm survives well. The island
is believed to be largely undisturbed by post-medieval and modern activity and
will retain buried evidence for structures and other features relating to the
development and character of the site throughout its periods of occupation.
The buried silts in the base of the moat will contain artefacts relating to
the period of occupation, and organic evidence including evidence for the
local environment in the past, are also likely to be preserved in waterlogged
deposits in the moat.

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

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
SMR, Glebe farm, Great Thurlow, Haverhill and District Archaeological Group, (1978)
Title: Ordnance Survey 25" Map
Source Date: 1959
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
SRO

Source: Historic England