Medieval moat at Fennes, Bocking (EHER 6259)

The remains of a possible medieval moat within a deserted medieval village.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (NR). <1> Moat at Fennes (House not dated by RCHM or DOE (HHR)). <2> <3> Probably the house of 'John atte Fen' (1327), also mentioned in 1401 as 'ffennes'. <4> <5> Manorial site, according to Wright's History of Essex. <6> March 1975. Field survey. A waterfilled 'moat-like' arm, 80.0m long and 10.0m wide with returning south-west angle is situated some 70.0m north at Fennes Farm. Slight trace of a possible west arm continues as a depression in a garden but otherwise there is no ground evidence of a complete moated enclosure. There is no trace and no local knowledge of a building within the angle of the two 'arms', an area now wooded. No further information from Tithe Maps etc. The present farmhouse is 18th century and not outstanding. Published survey (25") correct. <7> <8> 1970s. Field visit. Incomplete, irregular. <9> Sketch plan on back of MSRG card. <10> February 1997. Alternative action report. The evidence for an area of settlement with the moated site to the north is poor and cannot support a scheduling proposal. Fennes Farm may have originated as the manor of John atte Fen (about 1347) although the moat (if such it is) survives only in part and is not recommended for scheduling in the county evaluation. <11> See also: <12> - <14>