Medieval moat, Great Newarks (EHER 913)

A medieval circular moated site associated with a 17th century house.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Circular moat. <1> <2> The moat is two thirds of a circle, mesuring approximately 50m in diameter. <3> Probably to be associated with the family of Richard `le Armurer alias Armerer' (1517). <4> Gift in 1086 to St Martin, London, from Eustace de Boulogne. <5> c40m in diameter, incomplete in north east quadrant, in low lying position by River Can, isolated c1km south east of the village. <6> Circular moat visible on the east, south and west sides of Great Newarks. The house is 17th century, much altered in the 18th and 19th centuries. Grade 2. <7> Newarks (name confirmed - formerly Great Newarks) is generally as described but modernised and not now outstanding. The house is surrounded by a circular moat which measures overall 60.0m in diameter with the water averaging 7.0m wide. Only the south half is waterfilled, the rest has been destroyed by garden landscaping but its course can be traced across the lawn to the north of the house. Published survey 25" revised. <8> Great Newarks, once called Newlands Foe; the present name comes from the family of John de Newerkes (1327, unpub Subsidy Rolls, PRO). The earlier name originated with the ownership of John de la Neuwelands of Newland hall in Roxwell (1272 unpub Assize Rolls, PRO), and the manor may earlier still have been known as La Stane. The moat (now incomplete) was circular. It lies very close to the River Can and may at one time have been connected to it. <9> Other ref: <10> <11> Area = 0.15