Details

The monument includes a medieval moated site located on the eastern side of a
stream known as The Beck, in an isolated position approximately 875m to the
south east of the parish church and village of Ilketshall St Margaret.

The moat, which surrounds a sub-rectangular central island with maximum
dimensions of approximately 65m north west-south east by 57m, is between
5m and 6m in width and water-filled, fed by the stream which forms the
western arm. The water level within the moat is controlled by a weir which
is situated immediately to the north west of the moated site and is not
included in the scheduling. The stream to the west of the moated island is
also not included, although the eastern bank which forms the western edge
of the island is included. Access to the central island is provided by a
broad causeway across the eastern end of the northern arm of the moat,
although it is possible that this feature, if original, has been widened
since it was originally constructed.

Brook House, standing in the north eastern quadrant of the central island,
is believed to date in part from the 16th century and is a Listed Building
Grade II.

A number of features are excluded from the scheduling. These are: Brook House,
the outbuildings adjoining it, together with inspection chambers and a
cesspit, modern gravel surfaces and paving, garden furniture and all fences
and gates; however the ground beneath all these features 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 at Brook House is a good example of a medieval homestead moat.
It is known not to have undergone any significant alteration since at least
the early 19th century, and archaeological information relating to the
construction of the moat and the the occupation of the interior during and
since the medieval period will be preserved in deposits on the central island.
As an isolated moated site in an area characterised by a dispersed pattern of
settlement, it will contribute to the study of the development of medieval
settlement in the region.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Title: Tithe Map, Ilketshall St Margaret
Source Date:
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
C.R.O. Ref. P461/145

Source: Historic England