Page 11 - Moons Moat

Moons Moat Redditch Heritage

We know, however, that the moat was also used as a source for water and as the drain
from the kitchens. It may also have contained fish.

Though moats could fulfil a number of useful roles, it does appear that by the later Middle
Ages they were seen as status symbols. The moat may not have deterred the medieval
burglar, but it did suggest you had something worth protecting. It hinted at your elevated
status. The same area of Warwickshire which contains Baddesley Clinton today has
houses protected by electronic gates and lights because inside may be seen the fleet of
expensive cars. The gates and high hedges are probably cheaper than a moat.
Finally it seems likely that the builders of moats thought they looked beautiful. Pevsner
describes Baddesley Clinton as "perfect in its perfect moat. It would not be the same
without its moat, nor would Leeds Castle in Kent. The Bishop of Worcester in his
Alvechurch palace recognised the beauty of a moat and had a double one.

Even the young were put to work. Here the boy uses a……..

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