Details

The monument includes a moated site located some 310m to the south of the site
of Cranley Green. Three arms of the moat remain open and water-filled,
enclosing the north east, south east and south west sides of a rectangular
central island with internal dimensions of approximately 67m north east-south
west by 63m. The north western arm of the moat is shown on an estate map of
1840 and, although it has been infilled, it will survive as a buried feature.
The inner edge of the infilled arm is still defined in part by a slight, north
west-facing scarp. The parts of the moat which are open measure about 5m in
width on average, but a gentle scarp up to 3m wide above the inner edge of the
south eastern arm indicates that, on that side at least, it may have been
recut within a wider feature.

The farmhouse, which stands in the north western part of the central island is
a Listed Building Grade II. This and an adjacent garage and kennel, paving and
a low wall around the southern and eastern sides of the house, a swimming
pool, the surfaces of a driveway and farm track, inspection chambers and
clothes line posts are all excluded from the scheduling, however the ground
beneath 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 King's Farm survives well. The central island and the
moat, including the infilled north western arm, will retain archaeological
information concerning its original construction and occupation during the
medieval period, including evidence for earlier buildings on the site,
predating the present house. It is one of three moated sites which bordered
and had access to Cranley Green, the outline of which can still be traced in
surviving boundaries. As a group, these represent a good example of greenside
settlement, characteristic of this area of Suffolk, and are thus of particular
interest for the study of medieval settlement in the region. The other two
moated sites are the subject of separate schedulings.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
Title: Map...of Farms and Premises belonging to Sir Edward Kerrison
Source Date: 1840
Author:
Publisher:
Surveyor:
SRO REf HA68 484/762

Source: Historic England