Possible medieval moated site, east of Little Mortimers Lodge (EHER 227)

Possible moated site visible only as a broad depression some 17m in width and up to 0.7m in depth enclosing a sub-rectangular area.

Possible moated site visible only as a broad depression some 17m in width and up to 0.7m in depth enclosing a sub-rectangular area. The site shows up as a cropmark and other linear cropmarks can be seen leading to it. Plaster has been found within the enclosed area. <1> - <8> NRHE data transfer: Five-sided crop mark visible at TL 5775 3956. <9> Homestead moat lies 1 mile south of Ashdon Church. <10> 1969. Field survey. This feature, which is probably the remains of a homestead moat, has been almost completely ploughed out but is visible as a broad depression some 17.0 metres in width and up to 0.7 metres in depth enclosing a rectangular area. No trace of building debris was seen within the enclosed area. Surveyed at 1:2500. <11> 1989. Field survey. The moat was first recognised by aerial photograph and its position subsequently indicated by ground survey. The moat consists of a sub-rectangular platform 38m x 30m, the north third of which is raised. This enclosure is bounded by a five-sided ditch, now dry, between 1.2m and 0.7m in depth. The north arm projects for some 30m to the north-west. Further features are discernible to the south-east centred TL 5779 3953 on the aerial photograph. No features were visible on the ground. The moat is being continuously reduced and the surface features rounded by ploughing. The moat is known locally as 'The Table' and the field in which it lies as 'Hunger Down Spring'. (pers. Comm. Mr Kinver Reeve, Sewards End Farm). <12> See also: <13> - <16> EHER 1585 was merged into EHER 227 as the photographic evidence for this site was wrongly located and should have referred to EHER 227 in Ashdon. Therefore there is no evidence for a site at TL 60253025. The incorrect site location is referred to in <17>.