Medieval homestead moat at Wincelow Hall, Hempstead (EHER 1427)

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Summary

Surrounding the area is a large complete homestead moat. When investigated in 1978, it was found to be water-filled, probably by a spring, and it also fed a small pond.

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Location

Grid reference	Centred TL 629 383 (144m by 152m) Polygon corroborates with OS historic maps.
Civil Parish	HEMPSTEAD, UTTLESFORD, ESSEX

Type and Period

MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Description

Moat at Wincelow Hall (site of). <1> Homestead moat, said to enclose site of Wincelow Hall. <2> Hall was in existence in 1769, was called 'Winslows' or 'Giodmans'. Hall demolished by 1886. Foundations of Old Hall uncovered on numerous occasions in front of present house. Moat banks are heavily overgrown, in fairly good condition. <3> - <5> Complete, rectangular, manorial, 9-12m wide, 1m deep to water. Recent small holes dug by owner located a drain running east of the present house towards the moat, drain brick-arched. <6> Sketch on back of MSRG card of moat's plan. <7> No traces of hall. Surrounding moat complete, measures 94m square, ditch is waterfilled, averages 10m wide. Access by two causeways on north east and north west arms, north west one is probably original. <8> in <1> Probably to be associated with family of John Wynselowe. Family probably came from Wynstelowe (1273) in Helions Bumpstead (also mentioned 1609, 1637). <9> Course of moat shown on C and A map, 1777. <10> A pond is situated 7m south-east of the moat and joined to it by a leat. It measures 21m north-west to south-east by 8m. <11> Area = 0.4 See: <12> - <14> NRHE data transfer: May 1950. Field survey. The moat is heavily overgrown, condition fair. <5> January 1978. Field survey. Surrounding the site and situated on a high north-east to south-west ridge is a large complete homestead moat 94.0 m square. The ditch is water-filled, probably by a spring, and averages 10.0 m wide. An outfall at the south angle feeds a small pond. Access to the island is by two causeways, of which that across the north west arm is probably the original. The area of island not occupied is under trees and scrub. Published 25" survey (1921) correct. <16>

Sources

<1> SEX4 DESC TEXT: Unknown. 1960 onwards. SMR form unknown.
<2> SEX701 Monograph: RCHME. 1916. An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Volume I, North-West. v.1, p.159.
<3> SEX52658 RECORD SHEET/FORM: Ordnance Survey. 1950-1990. OS cards. TL63NW03, 1950.
<4> SEX5086 DESC TEXT: 'A Gentleman'. 1769. History of Essex. v.2, p.266-267.
<5> SEX5087 Bibliographic reference: Wright, T.. 1836. History of Essex, Volume 2. p 84.
<6> SEX5088 LIST: Stokes, A.H. and Hedges, J.D.. 1974. TL63-005. TL63-005.
<7> SEX5089 Map: Stokes, A.H.. 1974. TL63-005. TL63-005, map, 1974.
<8> SEX52658 RECORD SHEET/FORM: Ordnance Survey. 1950-1990. OS cards. TL63NW03, 1977.
<9> SEX10131 Bibliographic reference: Reaney, P.H.. 1935. The Place-Names of Essex. p.511-512.
<10> SEX1417 Map: Chapman, J. and Andre, P.. 1777. Map of the County of Essex (C&A map). Paper. sheet II.
<11> SEX4312 Scheduling record: English Heritage ?. 1993. Schedule Entry copy.
<12> SEX57562 Photograph: Photographs in Essex County Council collection.
<13> SEX61067 Aerial Photograph: Tyler, S.. 2000. CP/00/17/15.
<14> SEX73484 Aerial Photograph (Digital): Saunders, H.. 2017. EX17/07/032.
<15> SEX75700 PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Ordnance Survey. Field Investigator's Comments. F1 JET 09-MAY-50.
<16> SEX75700 PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Ordnance Survey. Field Investigator's Comments. F2 GJM 12-JAN-78.