Medieval farmhouse, Helions, Helions Bumpstead (EHER 1592)

19th century occupied building on the island of a moated site. Remains of an earlier house uncovered. Summary from record 45887: Possible remains of medieval farmhouse uncovered beneath 19th century house.

Monument description derived from merging EHER 1592 and 45887. 19th century occupied building on the island of a moated site. <1> <2> Present house built in 1830 on the site of the original manor house which burnt down around 5yrs previously. Present bridge built in 1793. <3> OS photo card shows house and bridge. <4> The house is a 19th century building. Access to the island is via a late 19th century brick bridge across the north arm of the moat. In the north east corner of the moat is a mound, 11m in diameter, 1.5m high, scrub and tree-covered. No evidence of a building but good views to the north and east, probably gazebo mound. <5> 2001. Excavation and monitoring. Excavation and monitoring was carried out in advance of underpinning to the 19th century house. The excavation uncovered a surface containing medieval pottery dating to around 1200 and two pits containing 12th to early 13th century pottery. A partially excavated layer to the south of the house produced 13th-14th century pottery. A 16th century brick rubble surface was identified towards the base of the sequence in the kitchen area of the present house. The deposit contained an early post-medieval copper alloy book clasp. Late 15th to 16th century pottery was excavated from the fill of the moat. Deposits and surfaces dating to the 17th and 18th century were excavated from within the kitchen area. A number of partially surviving brick walls and well preserved boulder cobble surface. An 18th century cellar and drain culvert were revealed in the external drainage and underpinning trenches. A sub-rectangular mortared brick void from within the kitchen area and a flint cobble garden path may be 19th century. <6> <7>