The origins of the project are outlined and definitions given for the subject and area of the study. The fundamental aims and objectives of the programme of research are set out together with the methodology adopted. Previously published classification systems for moated sites are outlined. Consideration is given to the advantages and disadvantages of these regimes alongside the aim of providing a basis for more uniform analysis of moated sites within Wales. The proposed classification system adopted for this study is set out. Type-sites from the study area, are identified and listed. Finally relevant sites within the study area are listed alongside their identified classifications, and the numbers within each classification are considered both in total and by each of the individual study counties. Aspects of topography relevant to the location of the moats within the study area are considered. Current understanding of the processes of climate change as they relate to their possible influence on moat construction is viewed alongside recent surveys relating to rainfall, drainage and relief within the surveyed counties. These factors along with relevant geological and soil surveys are shown in relation to the distribution of sites within the study area. An analysis of the distribution of these earthworks within administrative and political boundaries that existed during the fourteenth century is carried out. This relates these sites to the generally accepted period of the height of moat construction within Great Britain. In view of the varied administration and political allegiance within the March consideration is given to whether individual Marcher Lords or the Crown influenced moat distribution and design. The three earlier published surveys of moated sites in Wales are reviewed. This examination of work by Pratt, Spurgeon and the RCAHMW forms the basis for the following comparative study with the sites assessed in this three counties survey. A summary of the moated site gazetteer which comprises volume two of this work leads to the final concluding chapter of volume one. Conclusions drawn from the survey as a whole, are related to earlier work in this area and are followed by summaries of the specific conclusions drawn about these sites as they were found within their pre-1974 counties. Volume two of the thesis comprises a full Gazetteer of South-east Wales Moated Sites. The first three chapters are individual inventories of the moated earthworks identified within the three pre-1974 counties of Breconshire, Radnorshire and Monmouthshire respectively. Name and pre-1974 parish identify each location. Current district, Scheduled Ancient Monument reference, Archaeological Trust reference and an eight figure National Grid Reference are listed where available, together with the site altitude above Ordnance Datum and the site's survey classification. Individual sites are described alongside detailed plans and site aerial photographs where obtained. Each recently discovered site is labelled as such. Finally the thesis lists those sites that were investigated as part of this study, but found not to be applicable to the nature of it.

L’étude des résidences aristocratiques dans l’ancien comté d’Astarac résulte de travaux réalisés entre 2003 et 2011. Elle s’inscrit dans l’enquête sur les forteresses médiévales de Midi-Pyrénées qui a débuté en 1994 et qui vise à procéder à l’évaluation du patrimoine régional. L’objectif principal a été d’inventorier les différentes formes de fortification liées à la résidence seigneuriale. Le corpus final, composé d’ouvrages de terre fortifiés (mottes, plates-formes et enclos fossoyés), de tours, salles et tours-salles, constitue la base de notre réflexion. Il ressort de cette enquête que le Gers méridional a connu l’implantation d’un grand nombre de fortifications seigneuriales et de résidences aristocratiques médiévales entre le Xe siècle et le XVIe siècle. Près de 320 sites, dispersés sur 10 cantons ont ainsi été répertoriés. Cette étude a été enrichie par le dépouillement des sources écrites disponibles. Un travail historique sur le comté d’Astarac et les seigneurs de cette zone, constituant l’aristocratie locale généralement peu évoquée dans les études analogues, a également été entrepris afin de mieux cerner le statut des propriétaires des habitats fortifiés repérés. Les informations recueillies sur le terrain et dans les sources consultées ont ainsi permis de réaliser un travail de réflexion sur le peuplement et l’organisation du territoire comtal astaracais. / This study of the aristocratic residences of the ancient county of Astarac results from works done between 2003 and 2011. It is part of general survey of the medieval fortresses of Midi-Pyrénées which started in 1994 and aims at evaluating the patrimony of this region. The main purpose was an inventory of fortresses such as mottes, castral platforms, moated sites and ringworks and so aristocratic residences as towers, salas and towers-salas. It shows that the southern part of the Gers department witness the implantation of a number of fortified sites seigniorial and aristocratic residences between the X century and the XVI century. A list of more 320 sites, scattered over 10 cantons was thus drawn up. This work has been completed according to examinations of written documents. An historic work of the ancient county of Astarac and the seigniorial power has been realized to identify proprietary’s statute. Informations from field researches and archival sources made possible an assessment of the populating and the county’s organization.

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