Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site in Beeton's Plantation which is
located 110m south east of Dowel's Farm and 750m to the WSW of Seven Elms
Green.
The moated site incorporates two adjacent islands, both rectangular in plan,
which are situated side by side and separated by an intervening arm of the
moat. The southern island measures a maximum of 72m ENE-WSW by 54m NNW-SSE and
is raised by about 1m above the surrounding ground surface. The northern
island measures up to 84m ENE-WSW by 50m NNW-SSE, and a depression towards its
southern corner is thought to represent a pond. A causeway across the dividing
arm of the moat provides access between the two islands. The southern island
is surrounded on all sides by a partly waterfilled moat which measures up to
10m in width and 3m deep. This moat extends along the WSW side and part of the
NNW side of the northern island. It is believed that it originally continued
along the remaining section of the NNW side and the ENE side of the northern
island, but was infilled and now survives as a buried feature. Its outline is
followed by a drainage ditch. The fencing around the moated site is excluded
from the scheduling, although the ground beneath it 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 with two islands in Beeton's Plantation survives well. Both
islands remain relatively undisturbed by post-medieval and modern activity and
will retain evidence for structures and other features relating to the
development and use of the site throughout its occupation. The buried silts in
the base of the moat will contain artefacts relating to the period of
occupation. Organic materials, 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 other examples both locally and more widely
will provide valuable insights into the nature of settlement in the area.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Title: 2nd Edition 25" Ordnance Survey Map
Source Date: 1904
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
53.13
Title: Cowlinge Tithe Map
Source Date: 1846
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
SRO(Bury):T74/1,2

Source: Historic England