Details

This moated site lies to the south west of Lordsfields Farm and is
approximately 40m square. The moat island is surrounded by a substantial ditch
approximately 10m wide and 1.5m deep which has small extended arm in the north
western corner. Parts of the north east and the north west corners of the moat
ditches are waterlogged. A small outer bank about 0.5m high is preserved on
the west side of the moat and the central island is oval and measures
approximately 20m x 17m.
This moat is considered to be the site of the manor house of Whittlebury and
maps of the early eighteenth century show a building on the island with a
bridge across the ditch near the south east corner. At present access to the
island is by a narrow causeway on the east arm.

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.

Lordsfield Farm site presents a well preserved example of a small square moat
which was the site of a medieval manor house. The moat island is relatively
undisturbed and therefore offers considerable potential for the preservation
of important remains of the house structure. The waterlogged and sizeable moat
ditches have potential for retention of environmental information.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Baker, G, History of Northants
Other
Shows building and bridge, NRO, (1726)

Source: Historic England