Scheduled Monument: Moated Site 180M W of Fir Tree Farm (1011882)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Moated site 180m W of Fir Tree Farm PARISH: MARLSTON CUM LACHE DISTRICT: CHESTER COUNTY: CHESHIRE NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 13451 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SJ39296348 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument includes a moated site exhibiting traces of an access causeway and outer bank. The grassy island, measuring 63m x 47m, possesses surface features that include a low mound at the S corner some 8m x 7m x 0.2m high, and a low platform 0.1-0.3m high x 13m wide running NE-SW for some 30m. Surrounding the island is a dry moat 15m wide x 1.5m max. depth that is crossed by a causeway on the SE arm. An outer bank 0.3m high x 9m wide runs along the SW side of the moat. This monument is thought to have been the site of the manor house of Marlston, but it is not depicted or shown as occupied on early maps, thus suggesting early abandonment. All field boundaries are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included. 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. Despite some overploughing the monument is generally in a fairly good state of preservation and is unencumbered by modern development. The surface features on the island indicate that the site retains considerable evidence of structural foundations associated with the medieval manor house. SCHEDULING HISTORY Monument included in the Schedule on 24th October 1973 as: COUNTY/NUMBER: CHESHIRE 88 NAME: Moated site 180m (200 yards) W of Fir Tree Farm, Marston cum Lache The reference of this monument is now: NATIONAL MONUMENT NUMBER: 13451 NAME: Moated site 180m W of Fir Tree Farm SCHEDULING AFFIRMED ON 08th November 1991