Scheduled Monument: Reaseheath Moated Site And Two Annexes (1011228)

EXTRACT FROM ENGLISH HERITAGE'S RECORD OF SCHEDULED MONUMENTS MONUMENT: Reaseheath moated site and two annexes PARISH: WORLESTON DISTRICT: CREWE AND NANTWICH COUNTY: CHESHIRE NATIONAL MONUMENT NO: 13493 NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE(S): SJ65095423 DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT The monument is Reaseheath medieval moated homestead. The site includes an island surrounded on three sides by a dry moat with annexes to the north and east. The grassy island measures c.55m x 43m and is surrounded on all sides except the south by a shallow dry moat 10-20m wide x 0.8m maximum depth. Immediately north of the moat is a grassy annexe c.42m x 19m flanked on its side by a hollow way up to 20m wide x 1.2m deep. Immediately east of the moat is a second larger, grassy annexe, measuring some 90m x 60m. Flanking this annexe is a ditch up to 15m wide x 0.5m deep that is largely dry. All fences are excluded from the scheduling but 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. The monument survives in good condition and remains largely unencumbered by modern development. Evidence of the medieval homestead that originally occupied the island will be preserved. MONUMENT INCLUDED IN THE SCHEDULE ON 17th August 1993