Details

The monument includes the buried and earthwork remains of the medieval moated
site approximately 200m north of Lucas Farm, Corse Lawn. The site is located
on generally level, low lying land in the south east of the parish of
Eldersfield, and is enclosed land of the former Corse Chase. Corse Lawn, which
had gained its name by the 1490s, is itself mainly situated in the adjoining
parish and is believed to be a clearing in the former Chase Forest. The Chase
was originally held by the Earls of Gloucester.
The moated island is irregular in plan, almost sub-triangular, and measures
some 40m by 60m. It is defined by a substantial water-filled moat which
measures up to 8m wide by up to 1m deep. The island is generally level, and it
is expected to retain evidence of the original house and access bridge, access
now being gained via a causeway by the south west corner of the moat.
All modern fencing is 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.

The moated site 200m north of Lucas Farm, Corse Lawn survives as a largely
undisturbed and well-preserved example of a medieval moated site. It will
provide evidence on the nature of the site's use, the lifestyle of its
inhabitants and information which will facilitate dating of the construction
and subsequent periods of use. The waterlogged condition of the moat will
preserve environmental evidence such as seeds and pollen which will provide
information about the ecosystem and landscape in which the monument was set.

Source: Historic England