17th century moat at Howses, Great Sampford (EHER 1450)

17th century timber-framed and plastered house with modern additions, surrounded by a homestead moat. When visited in 1978, the ditch was water filled by seepage. Two causeways give access to the island which is under lawn and shows no trace of former occupation.

Moat. <1> Complete moat. <2> <3> Complete, rectangular. Moat is 7.5-9m wide by 0.5-1.5m deep. Enclosure is flat, moat is wet. <4> Sketch plan of moat is back of MSRG card. <5> Surrounding house complete, sub- rectangular moat measuring 100m east to west by 80m. The waterfilled ditch averages 8m wide, has an outfall on the north arm. No trace of former occupation on the island. Access by two causeways on the south-east and north-east arms. Both may be original. <6> in <1> Is this the place given as 'Houses' in this source, to be associated probably with the family of John House (about 1409). <7> Other ref. <8>. <9>. Area = 0.35 NRHE data transfer: January 1978. Field survey. Surrounding the house and situated on a high east-west ridge is a sub-rectangular homestead moat of overall measurements 100.0m east to west by 80.0m transversely. The ditch, water filled by seepage, averages 80m wide and has an outfall on the north arm 12.0 from the north-west angle. Two causeways, (either could be original), give access to the island which is under lawn and shows no trace of former occupation. A pond lying to the south of the feature is later and ornamental. On the Tithe Map <10> the field to the east is named 'Kilnley'. It is under pasture and shows no evidence to suggest a kiln site. Published 25" survey (1921) revised. <11>