Scheduled Monument: Peel Hall Moated Site, Kingsley (1010795)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Peel Hall moated site, Kingsley PARISH: KINGSLEY DISTRICT: VALE ROYAL COUNTY: CHESHIRE NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 13461 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SJ54047553 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument comprises an attractive and well maintained moated site, the island of which is occupied by Peel Hall, its outbuildings and lawns. The island measures c.35m square and is raised above the level of the surrounding fields. It is surrounded by a spring-fed waterlogged moat c.9m max. width x 1.8m deep that has been lined with a sandstone wall. The moat widens close to the N corner where provision was made for cattle watering. There are two bridges affording access, that across the NW arm is of sandstone and brick, while the bridge across the SW arm has ornate pinnacled cast-iron posts. The monument has been landscaped with the addition of an ornamental circular island with access via a footbridge close to the W corner. Peel Hall was the ancient seat of the Ardernes family but was burnt down sometime after 1663. A new house was built and this in turn was replaced by the present structure c.1840. Both bridges and the sandstone wall lining the moat are Grade II Listed. The hall and its outbuildings; both bridges and the sandstone wall lining the moat; a path from the bridge over the SW arm to the hall; and all fences and walls flanking the monument are excluded from the scheduling. The ground beneath all these features, however, is included. The ornamental island in the moat is included as any works on it will disturb other remains in the moat. The footbridge which allows access to it is excluded. 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. Peel Hall moated site survives well and is a good example of the site of a medieval moated mansion house. The monument retains considerable archaeological potential for the survival of evidence of the structural foundations of two earlier building phases of Peel Hall beneath the present house and lawns. MONUMENT INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE ON 27th June 1991