Details

Shonk's Moat is situated approximately 2.5km east of Brent Pelham. It
consists of two enclosures and a fishpond. The eastern enclosure is
subrectangular in shape, is orientated north-east/south-west and measures
c.95m long by c.85m wide. The arms vary between c.3m and 9m in width. Only
the north-western arm remains waterlogged. The south-western enclosure is on
the same alignment and measures c.95m long by c.60m wide. The arms are 6m
wide and c.1m deep. A map dating from 1769 shows only the eastern enclosure
which was then a nursery. The 1839 tithe map shows both enclosures indicating
that the south-western enclosure was added between those two dates. On the
tithe map the whole of the eastern enclosure plus the north-eastern and south-
western arms of the later enclosure are shown to be waterfilled. Associated
with the moat on its southern corner is an irregular shaped fishpond, very
heavily silted, which is c.47m, long north-west/south-east and 17m across.

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.

Shonk's Moat is well preserved and has an unusual double island form. It is a
well documented example of a later moated site which was extended in the 18th
century. The interiors of the moats and the moat ditches are essentially
undisturbed and will retain considerable archaeological potential.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
SMR No: 070250, Information from SMR,

Source: Historic England