Details

The monument is the manorial moated site of Rodbaston Old Hall together with a
dry fishpond and earthwork features to the N.
The extant remains of the monument include a largely scrub and tree covered
raised island c.73m square containing an internal bank around three sides that
measures 2.4m max.height at the S corner. Surrounding the island is a
waterlogged moat c.8m wide x 1.5m deep with a causeway on the SW arm. The
island was originally double moated, although the outer moat has been infilled
at an unspecified date. To the N of the moat is a dry fishpond measuring
c.60m x 19m x 0.6m deep with traces of a similar rectangular earthwork to its
SW.
The manorial status of Rodbaston was linked to the hereditary forestership of
Cannock.
All fences and a drain at the N end of the fishpond are excluded from the
scheduling. The ground beneath these features, however, 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.

Despite infilling of the outer moat and some scrub and tree growth on the
island the monument survives in a relatively good condition. Considerable
evidence of the buildings which originally occupied the island will survive in
addition to which organic remains will survive in the waterlogged moat.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Darvill, T., MPP Single Monument Class Description - Moats, (1988)
Dennison, E., MPP Single Monument Class Descriptions - Fishponds, (1988)
PRN NO. 107, Staffordshire SMR, Rodbaston Old Hall: Penkridge,
Sharyane, Letter to Robinson, K.D. MPPFW, (1990)

Source: Historic England