Site of medieval moat or fortification at Little Easton Manor (EHER 1213)

Moat or fortification south-east of the house. It was destroyed by a carpark.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat (NR). <1> A moat lies to the south-east of the Manor House. Only part of the east arm, with a bank on the counterscarp, remains. <2> February 1950. Field survey. Moat 2.0m deep and in fairly good condition. Bank on counterscarp 1.0m high. <3> <4> April 1975. Field survey. This moat has been destroyed by a car park. Published 1:2500 revised. Insufficient remains on OS 25" for positive classification but the ditch was substantial and the site slopes, precluding a circuit of water. Only a 20m length of counterscarp bank survives, 1m high, landscaped and planted, giving no indication of purpose. Site is on edge of a broad, north-facing spur, largely occupied by the manor house and its gardens and adjacent to the church. Manor at Little Easton belonging to William de Warenne and Geoffrey de Mandeville listed in Domesday but no reference to fortification. 'Moat' may have been last remains of a defensive earthwork, bailey or ringwork, around the church and former manor ("curve of 17th century outbuildings north west of the 'moat' site is significant"). <5> <6> 1977. Field visit. Incomplete, and possibly rectangular. Park in arable country. Natural spur in natural valley has been dammed and landscaped. <7> Tracing from Stokes' sketch from site visit and OS 25" is on back of SMR sheet and back of MSRG card. <8> Tracing from OS 1975 plan shows bank, about 1m high, east of the hall. <9> Two photos of ponds in SMR. <10> See also: <11>