Details

The monument includes a moated site situated on the floodplain of the River
Cam, 100m south of Freemans Farm, Elder Street, and 1km north of the Harcamlow
Way. It comprises a trapezoidal area measuring a maximum of 60m east-west by
50m north-south. The arms are waterfilled and are 8m in average width. A
causeway 10m in width in the north-eastern corner is considered to be
original. The island is level and raised about 0.3m above the surrounding
ground level. A ditch 4m wide extends from the north-eastern corner and
connects with the field drainage system, now piped underground, which fed the
farm pond 65m north. The moated site is known as the kitchen garden and is
considered to have always been used for horticultural purposes.

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 moat at Freemans Farm is well-preserved and will retain archaeological
information relating to its use. The waterfilled ditches will contain
environmental evidence pertaining to the landscape in which the monument was
built.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Information from SMR (No 173),

Source: Historic England