The Richest Homeowners Are Going Medieval To Protect Their Homes (PHOTOS)

Media rooms and five-car garages used to be the kind of amenities that would set a luxury home apart (cue the MTV "Cribs" reruns), but these days, it takes a little more imagination -- and a lot more money -- to reach the upper echelon of home ownership.

The latest bell-and-whistle to strike luxury buyers' fancy: Moats, according to the Los Angeles Times, who also lists amenities like dental chairs and botox stations among a growing trend in over-the-top real estate. (Yes, we said dental chairs.)

Jennifer Lopez's former Bel-Air villa has a moat, as does Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady's Brentwood mansion, the Times reports, noting that the lavish water feature is making its biggest splash since medieval times.

Moats were historically used to provide castles and towns with a preliminary line of defense. In some places, moats evolved into more extensive water defense systems, including lakes and dams, though in later periods they became largely ornamental.

Here's a look at 10 modern examples from our friends over at Houzz.

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