Scheduled Monument: Moated Site North-West of Mill Hill House Farm (1012109)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Moated site north-west of Mill Hill House Farm PARISH: ECCLESTON DISTRICT: CHESTER COUNTY: CHESHIRE NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 13418 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SJ40086255 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The moated site NW of Mill Hill House Farm includes a slightly irregularly-shaped moat averaging 1m deep and a nearly square island c.42m x 38m which is defined by the moat. Most moats were constructed between 1250-1350 and are generally seen as the prestigious residences of the Lords of the manor. The moat in such circumstances marked the high status of the occupier, but also served to deter casual raiders and wild animals. The moat NW of Mill Hill House Farm is presently dry although heavy rain accumulates in the S arm. Ridge and furrow runs to the outer edge of the ditch all around the site and has obliterated any evidence of an outer bank. ASSESSMENT OF IMPORTANCE 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 NW of Mill Hill House Farm survives essentially undamaged and retains considerable archaeological potential for the recovery of evidence of building foundations within the interior. SCHEDULING HISTORY Monument included in the schedule on 19th October 1973 as: COUNTY NUMBER: Cheshire 87 NAME: Moated site at Mill Hill House Farm The reference of this monument is now: NATIONAL MONUMENT NUMBER: 13418 NAME: Moated site north-west of Mill Hill House Farm SCHEDULING AFFIRMED ON 19th March 1991