Medieval homestead moat at Godd's Farm, Great Sampford (EHER 1446)

Remains of a medieval homestead moat at Godd's Farm. Three arms of the moat were still in existence when visited in 1978, and were found to be partly water filled. The missing north-west arm probably ran in front of the house. A small causeway, probably not original, gives access to the island which is now an overgrown garden. No trace of former occupation can be seen.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat. <1> Moat at Godd's Farm. It is rectangular and the present house stands outside of the north-west arm. <2> Fairly good condition. <3> Incomplete, rectangular. Moat is 7 to 10m wide, 0.7m deep to the water. <4> Sketch plan of moat is on back of MSRG card. <5> Behind house (17th century), is a moat, overall measuring 42.0m north-east to south-east by 33.0m transversely. North west arm has been destroyed but the remaining ditch is waterfilled and averages 6m wide and 1m deep. Island forms the overgrown garden of the house and has no trace of former occupation. A small causeway at the south angle gives access. <6> in <1> Probably to be associated with the family of John Godd (1327). <7> The north-west arm has been infilled but is considered to run in front of the house through what is now the farmyard. The remaining arms are filled by seepage. The outlet is located at the eastern angle. The causeway at the southern angle is probably modern. <8> January 1978. Field survey. Godd's Farm (name confirmed) is a 17th century building with 19th century additions and although unoccupied for some years is in good condition. Not outstanding, see photograph. At the rear of the house and situated on high ground with falls to the northeast, are three arms of a homestead moat having overall measurements of 42.0m north-east to south-east by 33.0m transversely. The missing northwest arm probably ran in front of the house through the farmyard which is lower. The ditch is water-filled by seepage and has an outlet at the east angle. It averages 6.0 m wide and 1.0 m deep. A small causeway, probably not original, at the south angle gives access to the island which is a now overgrown garden. No trace of former occupation can be seen. The moat appears the same on the Tithe Map <9>. Published 25" survey (1921) revised. <10> See: Moat (NR). <11>