Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Medieval moated site. A survey carried out in 1975 found the moat to have a maximum depth of 1.5 metres, minimum depth 0.2 metres. No structures were visible on the central island.

Monument Types

• MOAT (MOAT, Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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(TQ 43814521) Devil's Den (NR) Moat (NR) (1) Gilbert de Clare held of the Abbot of Westminster, a capital messuage in Edenbridge, land, and a fishery on the river. The house was built probably on the island in Gandy Field now known as Devil's Den. (2) Scheduled. (3) "Devil's Den", a homestead moat, measuring overall 50.0m square, is waterfilled and in good condition. The enclosure area is densely wooded and no trace of a building was found. The 25" AM survey was checked. (4) TQ 43814521. A homestead moat at Devil's Den, Edenbridge, was surveyed in 1975 (see plan). The depth varies from 1.5m on the south and east sides to about 20 cms in the northwest corner. The enclosed area is half a metre above the surrounding area and heavily wooded with no sign of internal structures. An ill-defined causeway at the south-west corner, possibly not original, gives access to the mound. A bridge in the centre of one of the sides may have existed. (5) (TQ 43814521) Devil's Den (NAT) Moat (NR) (6) TQ 43814521. Devil's Den, Edenbridge is listed in the County checklist of moated sites in Kent - December 1979. (7)
Additional information (8).

From the National Heritage List for England:
The site known as `Devil's Den' comprises a moat averaging 7-8m in
width which encloses a square island some 40m across. Moated sites are generally seen as the prestigious residences of the Lords of the Manor. The moat marked the high status of the occupier, but also served to deter casual raiders and wild animals. Most moats were constructed between 1250 and 1350, and since the example at Devil's Den is thought to have been held by Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, who died in 1295, such a date appears appropriate.
There is at present no visible evidence of the position of the entrance causeway or bridge across the moat which gave access to the island-- the existing causeway at the south-west corner is a relatively recent addition--nor of buildings in the interior, although heavy scrub growth makes such evidence difficult to detect. The site appears to have remained undisturbed, however, for many years and such evidence is considered likely to survive at the monument.

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.
Devil's Den is one such example which has high potential for the survival both of perishable artefacts and evidence of the climate and economy during the use of the site because of the waterlogged conditions of the moat and of remains of the buildings considered likely to have stood on the island. Since it is also documented as having been held by Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester (d. 1295), who was a notable figure during the reign of Edward I, the site is of especial historical importance.

<1> OS 6" 1936 (OS Card Reference). SKE48337.

<1> 1936, OS card / NAR index entry, OS 6" 1936 (Bibliographic reference). SKE7776.

<2> Somers-Cocks, H.L., 1912, OS card / NAR index entry, Edenbridge 1912 37 (H L Somers-Cocks) (Bibliographic reference). SKE7777.

<3> MOW, 1958, OS card / NAR index entry, MOW List of Anc Mons i Eng & W 1958 46 (Bibliographic reference). SKE7778.

<4> 1962, OS card / NAR index entry, F1 ASP 22.12.62 (Bibliographic reference). SKE7779.

<5> 1975, OS card / NAR index entry, Kent Arch Rev 41 1975 20-21 plan (A Dell, N Lake & P Couldrey) (Bibliographic reference). SKE7780.

<6> OS 1:10000 1970 (OS Card Reference). SKE48155.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1970, OS card / NAR index entry, OS 1:10000 1970 (Bibliographic reference). SKE7781.

<7> Bond, C.J. (ed.), 1979, OS card / NAR index entry, Moated Sites Res Gp 6 1979 46 (C J Bond ed.) (Bibliographic reference). SKE7782.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 44 NW 2 - December, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2648.

Sources and further reading