Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site 210m south west of Erratts Farm.
The moated site includes a roughly square island measuring an average of 24m
across. This is enclosed by a partially waterfilled moat, measuring up to 12m
wide and at least 2m in depth. The remains of inlet and outlet channels extend
from the southern corner and the south west and north east arms of the moat
and are linked to drainage ditches. An outer bank, approximately 6m wide by 1m
high and thought to be constructed from material dug from the moat, is visible
along the north eastern arm. The causeway across the south western arm of the
moat was in use in 1846.
The moated site is marked on the 1846 Tithe map as `Moat Plantation'.
The fence along the north east side of the moated site is excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath 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 moated site 210m south west of Erratts Farm survives well. The island
remains 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 the periods of occupation. The buried
silts in the base of the moat will contain artefacts relating to its
occupation. Organic material, including evidence for the local environment
in the past, is also likely to be preserved in waterlogged deposits in the
moat.
Comparisons between this site and other examples, both locally and more
widely will provide valuable insights into the development and the nature of
settlement in medieval England.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Title: Cowlinge Tithe Map
Source Date: 1846
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
SRO(Bury):T74/1,2

Source: Historic England