Medieval moat at Ashen House (EHER 6979)

Homestead moat, imperfect, at a 16th century house.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Homestead moat, imperfect. <1> June 1950. Field visit. Moat correct as shown on the 6" field sheet and on 6" Rec. Sheet. Condition good. <2> 1977. Field survey. Two photos in SMR. <3> Sited on side of Stour valley. Incomplete, possibly single, rectangular moat, 9m wide, 2.3m deep to the water. Water supply from a spring. Enclosure follows the contours of the hillside and is revetted on one side, by the house. Two ponds have been filled. <4> Sketch plan on back MSRG card shows the two filled ponds. Sketch based on 1st Ed OS map and site visit. <5> This sketch is also in the SMR. <6> 1980. Field visit. Isolated location, manorial status. Entered by bridge. Water supply from stream and spring. Square plan, part remaining. Moat is 10m wide, 2m deep (possibly to the water) and has revetments. Plans comparing state of moat in 1980 with that shown on 1960 OS map show little change, except loss of pond to the north. Earthwork on 1980 map marks the south arm (north and west arms are waterfilled). <7> <8> Sited on north facing spur overlooking the Stour. Monastic status. Entrance 1.5m wide. Island 56m long x 27m wide. No enclosure banks. Southern arm filled. Owner's son has researched the site to the mid 14th century. Present house dates from about 1542 (see EHER 6980). A chapel preceded it. In a remote location near the parish boundary. Brick revetments, part survives. <9> 2007. Watching brief. Archaeological monitoring was undertaken at Ashen House Farm, Ashen during groundworks for the construction of a new sitting room extension and a conservatory. <10> See also: <11> <12>. The monument at Ashen House includes a moated site and fishpond situated on a north facing spur overlooking the River Stour, 500m north of Ashen parish church. <13> <14> Area = 0.33