Medieval moat at Rayne Hall (EHER 18266)

Earthworks of two arms of a possible 'homestead' moat surrounding Rayne Hall.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: In July 1998, RCHME carried out a Level 1 survey of the environs of Rayne Hall in Essex. Two arms of a possible 'homestead' moat surrounding the house survive as earthworks. That to the north-west of the house is relatively well preserved, about 10m wide and 1m deep, while the that to the north-east is only 0.3m deep. Both retained water at the time of the Tithe Map of 1838, but had been drained by the time of the Ordnance Survey First Edition mapping in 1875 <1> <2>. There are slight hints that the moat may originally have continued all around the house, but the south-east arm appears to have been levelled in the earlier 16th century to allow the creation of a walled garden compartment. The moat may be contemporary with a more extensive system of ponds around the house, but is more likely to be contemporary with the 14th century part of the extant house, or somewhat earlier. For further details, see RCHME report at Level 1. <3> In late December 1998, RCHME carried out a Level 3 survey of the earthwork. This confirmed the findings of the earlier Level 1 survey. Distinct traces of the south-eastern arm and possible traces of the south-western arm were recorded. The platform is slightly raised, and would probably have been about 36m square and 0.12ha in area. For further details, see RCHME report at Level 3 and plan at 1:1000 scale. <4> The owner has encountered two or three brick lined conduits in the immediate vicinity of the house (apparently feeding the former moat). <5>