Medieval moat, Abbots Moat (EHER 231)

The moat survives now as a rectangular platform with the north-west, south-west, and south-east corners being water-filled and incorporated into private gardens, and the north-east and remaining circuit of the moat having been filled in.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Remains of a rectangular homestead moat in poor condition being partially water-filled and partially filled in. It is single-ditched and rectangular in plan. <1> <2> Dimensions: width of ditch: 8m, depth: 1m on south, 2m on north. <3> <4> The name Abbots appears as Abbottes in the 16th century. <5> <6> Sketch plan on back of MSRG card shows backfilled parts of moat. <7> Abbots is of 17th century date with considerable alterations and additions and was formerly a moated manor-house. It now stands on the edge of a large airfield. Part of the moat remains. <8> 1969. Field survey. Remains of homestead moat in poor condition being partially water-filled and partially filled in. Only the north-east, south-east and south-west corners are now visible. The north-west corner was apparently filled during the Second World War when dog-kennels were erected on the site. <9> 1989. Field survey. Abbots Moat survives as a rectangular platform 50m x 44m. The north-west, south-west, and south-east corners are water-filled and have been incorporated into private gardens. For the remaining parts of the circuit the moat has been filled but the inner scarp may be followed. Except for the north-east corner where it has been levelled probably for temporary buildings associated with Debden Airfield. <10> 1999. Watching brief. A watching brief on rear extension identified archaeological deposits of medieval date. A single pit/ditch contained very dark fill with a large amount of charcoal and some pottery. The feature cut the upcast of the moat indicating the presence of the moat certainly during the late medieval period. The pottery consisted of two rim sherds, both fire blackened and dated to around 1200AD. <11> Both pieces have a sand tempered coarse ware fabric borderline between Early Medieval Ware and Medieval Coarse Ware. Both pieces are from cooking vessels. <12>