Medieval moat at Helpestone Manor (EHER 82700)

Remains of a medieval moat at Helpestons Manor - allegedly a house was on the site from the 14th century onward, the present building is Victorian.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (NR). <1> Moat at Helpstone's Farm has one arm obliterated. <2> Probably to be associated with the family of John de 'Helpeston' (1327). The name is also mentioned in 1367 as 'sub gard' helpiston' and 'ten' Helston' and in 1540 as 'Whelpton alias Helpston' and 'Helpstones alias Whelpstones'. The family may have come from Whelpstones in Newport. The site name is given as `Whelpstone's Farm'. <3> 1950. Field survey. Fragmentary remains here, north-east, south-east, and west of the farmhouse and outbuildings, as follows: a shallow depression north-east of the house is waterfilled in the centre and measures 47m long x 10m wide; waterfilled section south east of the farmhouse outbuildings and another waterfilled section south-west of the house. <4> May 1975. Field survey. Centred at TL 70682018 is what is probably the remains of a homestead moat, measuring overall about 120.0m north-east to south-west by about 80.0m transversely. The north-east, and parts of the north-west and south-east arms survive, waterfilled and about 8.0m average width. The line of the remaining "arm" is occupied by deep modern ditches. The interior which is level and raised about 0.5m above surrounding ground level, contains a heavy scatter of roofing tile. The ponds around the present Helpstons Manor are not connected, and are at different levels; they do not resemble the remains of a moat. Helpstons Manor is Victorian, but a plaque set in the south-west wall indicates the existence of a manor from 1358. Published survey (25") revised. <5> - <7> Incomplete, rectangular. <8> Sketch plan of moat on back of MSRG card. <9>