17th century moat at Moat Cottage (EHER 1190)

17th century moat surrounding a cottage, 400 yards to the east of the church.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Cottage and moat 400yds to the east of the church. Moat complete. <1> <2> Cartographic evidence suggests that the moat is no earlier than the 17th century. The site is of local interest, but not recommended for scheduling. <3> Plotted on NMP overlay. <4> April 1975. Field survey. Around the cottage is the rectangular waterfilled remains of a probable homestead moat. It measures overall about 60.0m north-south by 40.0m transversely and the arms are about 8.0m wide. There is no trace of an east arm. The moat and surrounding area are landscaped, with much earth moving and scarping which confuses any original setting. No information was obtained of an earlier house on the site, but the tithe map of 1839 shows a complete moat. Published survey (25") correct. <5> - <8> 1977. Field survey. On lowland by a source of the Chelmer, in village near motte. Adjoining pond is modern. Wet moat, 3-10m wide, 1-1.5m deep to the water. Garden in arable country. Rectangular, complete. <9> Tracing from sketch by Stokes from OS 25" and site visit is on back of typed MSRG card and on back of SMR sheet. Two photos in SMR, titled "Old Rectory Grounds Gt. Easton". <10> October 2003. Field visits. The surviving structure comprises three arms of a moat and central house platform; the fourth (eastern) arm is infilled but archaeological levels may survive within its fill. Measuring some 60m north-south by 40m east-west, the arms of the moat are between 3m to 10m wide and approximately 2-3m deep. The moat is water-filled and appears in good condition. The house is thought to be of 17th century date and was probably part of a building extending further towards the south. At the time of the site visit the water level was low and internal wooden stakes obviously of some antiquity were visible within the moat, but it was not possible to determine their precise date or function. The moat is connected to a large modern pond to the south. There was no means of dating the monument by examination of the physical remains. <11> 2007. Evaluation An archaeological evaluation on an area of proposed residential development to the immediate north-east, east, and south-east of the moat revealed only modern features and features of uncertain date (field boundaries, post hole, animal burial, gully). There was no definitive evidence of archaeological activity predating the late post-medieval period. <12> September 2014. Excavation. An archaeological excavation on the moat platform by LP Archaeology found no evidence of surviving archaeological deposits. <13> Moat (NR). <14> Area = 0.08