Page 26 - Moons Moat

Redditch Heritage Moons Moat

century. The perimeter wall was completely re-built and the moat re-cut during the 16th
century and this work destroyed evidence of the earlier buildings and bridge. Not long
after this time the moated site appears to have been allowed to fall into disrepair and by
the 19th century was probably used for agricultural purposes. The robbing of the wall and
construction of the causeway probably happened at this time and co-incided with the
realignment of field boundaries during the time when smaller fields were being enclosed
from the large medieval open fields.

Very little historical information is currently available on the moated site and no names
have as yet been discovered of any families who owned the site or lived there. Moon’s
Moat was within the manor of Beoley and it was probably built and used by a prominent
landowner or official. It is possible that it started its life as a hunting lodge rather than a
permanent residence, later becoming more domestic in character by the 16th century
(Miller, 2004, Report 1256, Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service.

Original Material Courtesy of Deorah Overton August 2006

There are over 6000 moated sites known in England and the majority of these
lie in the Midlands area - they are rare in western and northern areas. This map
shows the known locations of moated sites in Worcestershire

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