Medieval homestead moat, Maldon Hall (EHER 7778)

A homestead moat at Maldon Hall, which is waterfilled and in excellent condition except for the greater part of the east arm, which has been filled in and overlaid by gardens. A second, detached outer moat curves around the north and part of the east sides of the site.

Homestead moat at Maldon Hall (EHER 38490). <1> Maldon Hall is enclosed by a large rectangular homestead moat, which is waterfilled and in excellent condition except for the greater part of the east arm, which has been filled in and overlaid by gardens. Part of its course at the NE corner is still indicated by a strong depression in the ground. There is a retaining bank around the south side. A second, detached outer moat curves around the north and part of the east sides of the site. However, there are no indications that it was ever of greater extent. There is a plan of the moat on the OS plan card. <2> A copy of an estate map of 1786 in the EHER shows both moats. The main one seems to be occupied by formal gardens with a possible pond in the middle. <3> <4> (TL 83800622) Moat (NR). <5> October 1976. Field survey. Maldon Hall is surrounded by a sub-rectangular homestead moat with an additional outer arm around the northern side. Both features are situated on level ground and fed by surface drainage. The principal enclosure measures about 70m east-west by 80m north-south overall, with arms averaging 8m wide by 1.5m deep. A retaining bank 1m high is visible along the outside of the south arm. The NE angle has been filled but can be traced as a depression in the garden. The irregular outer arm averages 6m wide by 1.5m deep, and extends for about 120m, but there is no evidence that it was ever of greater extent. Published 1:2500 survey correct. <6> <7> July 1987. Field survey. An 18th century watercolour of Maldon Hall (EHER X) depicts the east arm of the moat continuing further north than at present before being crossed by a causeway (estimated at roughly 20m north of the present termination). No trace of this continuation or causeway now survives. The outer bank noted by source <9> is a substantial feature averaging 8-9m in width and is evident returning north outside the east arm before being completely erased by modern landscaping. It is possible the erection of such a substantial bank on the south and east side was undertaken to act as a damming feature to retain the moat, as it is situated on an east facing slope with natural drainage in this direction, where some build up of level would be necessary and it is possible therefore that no such feature was necessary on the west and north sides where there is no indication of a retaining bank. No ground evidence is discernible to suggest whether the 'irregular outer arm' is a contemporary, or chronologically separate feature, although the lack of evidence for it having any greater extent may imply a contraction from an annular moat to a sub-rectangular moat re-using the majority of the south, west and east arms, leaving the former north circuit 'stranded' as a separate feature. The pronounced curve of the north arm of the sub-rectangular moat may have been caused by respecting an earlier layout. Resurveyed at 1:2500. <8> See also <9>. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import.