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Summary - not yet available

Monument Type(s):

• MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BUILDING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FISHPOND (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• RABBIT WARREN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• LEAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• BRIDGE? (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds:

• SHERD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• SHERD (Late Saxon to Saxo-Norman - 851 AD to 1150 AD)
• SHERD (13th century - 1201 AD to 1300 AD)

Associated Events:

• Monitoring work at Caxton Moats

Protected Status:

• Scheduled Monument () 1015202: Caxton Moats; a medieval moated site & associated fishponds & warren, 750m north west of Caxton Hall

Full description

1. The monument, known as Caxton Moats or "The Moats" is situated in the base of a small valley some 700m west of the A1198 at Caxton village, on the south side of a green lane between Caxton and Eltisley (Eltislley Lane or Caxton Drift). The monument includes a group of three contiguous moated enclosures arranged in an inverted "L"-shaped plan, with associated water management features, fishponds and warren earthworks. The most elaborate enclosure occupies the angle of the "L" at the north west corner of the group. This rectangular island, which is oriented east to west and measures approximately 75m by 45m, is surrounded by a broad flat-bottomed ditch measuring up to 18m in width and 2.5m in depth, and waterfilled to a depth of about 0.5m. Raised rectangular platforms occupy the east and west ends of the island, standing about 1.5m above the level of the centre and taking up about two thirds of the available space. Fragments of Roman pottery, 12th and 13h century wares, daub and wall plaster have been found here, indicating substantial medieval buildings and perhaps earlier occupation. Access to the island is thought to have originally been provided by one or more bridges.
The southern enclosure is similar in size, bounded by the southern arm of the moat to the north, and by a dry, "V"-shaped ditch averaging 12m in width and 2m in depth, around the remaining sides.
The third enclosure lies to the east of the northern island, separated by the counterscarp bank along its eastern arm.
A narrow leat meanders to the south east from the north east corner of the small moat. The channel is thought to have formed part of the original course of the brook, adapted to serve as an outflow after the course was diverted upstream to feed the moats.
A rectangular enclosure, part of a medieval warren, lies towards the southern end of the leat, extending WSW towards the southern end of the moat. This measures some 80m in length and 20m wide. A raised platform, 0.4m high, extends along the northern side of the enclosure covering three quarters of its length from the eastern end and half its width. Four low pillow mounds (artificial breeding places for rabbits) remain clearly visible along the length of the platform. A fifth mound, at the western end, is less well defined. The warren enclosure was superimposed over part of the ridge and furrow, and its alignment appears to have been determined by that of the earlier earthworks. Only a small fragment of the pattern of cultivation earthworks now remains to the east of the enclosure. This is included in the scheduling.
The northern side of the pillow mound enclosure is bounded by a broad channel, or hollow way, ascending the slight slope from the east towards the southern side of the southern island. This is thought to have provided the main approach the main approach in the later period of occupation.
The moated site may have originated in the 12th century as the seat of the de Scalers family, the descendants of Hardwin de Scalers to whom Caxton was given by William I. The northern island is thought to be the earliest part of the complex. The arrangements of platforms and the scale of the moat have been compared with the rectangular motte at Burwell Castle near Newmarket, which is known to have been built in the mid 12th century, during the period of civil wars known as "The Anarchy". It has been suggested that the two sites were contemporary, both built around 1143 as part of a series of fortifications intended to contain the rebellion of Geoffrey de Mandeville, Earl of Essex.
The earliest clear documentary evidence to the site, however, dates from 1312, when it was occupied by a dower house of Lady Eleanor de Freville. The expansion of the complex, with additional islands, fishponds and warren may be a reflection of this later period, and it remains possible that the elaborate appearance of the northern island resulted not from a need for defence, but to create a more prestigious dwelling reflecting the status of the later inhabitants.
2.Finds of surface pottery from include Roman, St. Neots and 13th century wares but the moats probably originated in the 12th century as the seat of the de Scaless family. Especially worthy of preservation.
3. In 1143 Stephen built a series of castle to contain the rebellion of the Earl of Essex. Burwell was certainly one of these and others including Caxton, of similar plan, may date from this operation.
4. The site closely resembles that of the unfinished castle of Burwell, which dates to mid-12th century.
5.Earthworks and moats as shown.
Three contiguous roughly rectangular moated areas [See plan] and soth east of them an unexplained block of earthworks now called the `Asparagus Beds'. The height of the eastern and western platforms suggest a Motte rather than a moated manor house. The principal buildings were probably at `A'. `B' and `C' were probably added, `C' perhaps to protect a 1/3rd NE of `A'. There is no trace of the bridges needed for access.
A triple moated site in good condition, set in permanent pasture. When full of water the picture obviously would be a site of considerable strength and complexity. No traces of former bridges, causeways or structures are apparent and the gap in the water on the north of the main island is due to cattle crossing. The outer work to the south east is something of an enigma. Being aligned on the adjacent rig and furrow it is probably contempory with it and may be the remains of farm buildings.

<1> English Heritage, 1996, Caxton Moats; a medieval moated site & associated fishponds & warren, 750m north west of Caxton Hall (Scheduling record). SCB18181.

<2> RCHM, 1968, An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the County of Cambridgeshire. Volume I. West Cambridgeshire (Bibliographic reference). SCB18049.

<3> Renn, D.F., 1973, Norman Castles in Britain (Bibliographic reference). SCB13873.

<4> Salzman, L.F (ed), 1948, The Victoria County History of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely. Volume 2 (Bibliographic reference). SCB14649.

<5> RAF, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1490 4223-4 09-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SCB63011.

<6> Taylor, A., Castles of Cambridgeshire (Bibliographic reference). SCB19242.

<7> 1960, OS 6 inch map (Map). SCB63010.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1971, Observations made from 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map (1885) (Verbal communication). SCB63014.

Sources and further reading

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