Germains medieval house and moat (EHER 536)

Earthwork remains of a medieval moat. The moated arms average 70m long by 16m wide and the original water level was retained on the north and east side by a bank 10m wide by 2m high. No trace of the south arm survives. The house the moat surrounds is possibly of 14th century origins with early 15th, early 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th century alterations and additions. It is of two storeys, timber framed and of H-plan; the house was originally an open hall of one storey with the wings still retaining their respective status as solar and service. The building was partly rebuilt in the 18th century.

Moat. Germains was as former 16th century manor house. Remains are of a dry homestead moat. The moated arms average 70m x 16m wide. Retaining banks on the north and east side are 10m wide x 2m high. No trace remains of the south arm. <1> OS card with site plan is in the SMR. <2> The house is probably early 16th century with a central hall and crosswings. The moat is fragmentary. <3> <4> Name mentioned 1327, 1444, 1496, 1550. <6> Other ref: <7> The manor of Germains may have been that held by Algar in 1066, it took its name from the family which held it in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the later medieval period it appears to have been subordinate to Kelvedon Hall manor. The current dwelling on the site is early 16th century in date, timber-framed with a central hall and crosswings. It is set within a dry homestead moat, the moated arms averaging 70m x 16m wide, the retaining banks on the north and east side are 10m wide x 2m high. There is no trace of the southern arm of the moat. NHRE data import: (TQ 556 996) Moat (NR) (1) Germains (once the manor house) dates from the early 16th century and has a central hall. There is a fragmentary moat surrounding it. <3> <4> <8> Published survey (25") revised. <9> The remains of a dry homestead moat surround Germains, a 16th century house, modernised and not outstanding. The moated arms average 70.0m long by 16.0m wide and the original water level was retained on the north and east side by a bank 10.0m wide by 2.0m. High. No trace of the south arm survives. Published survey (25") correct. <10> NRHE summary: Earthwork remains of a medieval moat. The moated arms average 70 metres long by 16 metres wide and the original water level was retained on the north and east side by a bank 10 metres wide by 2 metres high. No trace of the south arm survives. The house the moat surrounds is possibly of 14th century origins with early 15th, early 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th century alterations and additions. It is of two storeys, timber framed and of H-plan; the house was originally an open hall of one storey with the wings still retaining their respective status as solar and service. The building was partly rebuilt in the 18th century.