Medieval moat at Boblow, Water Lane, Helions Bumpstead (EHER 1607)

Remains of an irregular shaped moat at Boblow. The moat was situated on high ground, but has since been filled in. Its course was still visible during field investigation in 1983, although was not depicted on the survey in 1978.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Moat, irregular shape. <1> Triangular shape. Is isolated, adjoining the parish boundary. <2> Sketch plan on the back of MSRG card. <3> Stirrup-shaped moat with 1 or 2 small mounds or tumuli on the inner verge. Moat filled and under plough. <4> 1977. Field survey The moat was situated on high ground under plough, but has now been filled in. Its course is still visible as a shallow depression 0.1m deep. The ditches formed a narrow triangle which measured overall 80.0m east-west by 50.0m north-south, with an entrance at the south east corner. There is no evidence of occupation or building debris within the enclosure. A pond which was connected to the north angle still exists, being water-filled by seepage, but it does not appear to have been part of the original feature. No water feature is shown here on the Tithe Map <5> and the field of the same shape is named 'Yard'. Published 25" survey revised. <6> 1978 1:2500 OS plan does not show the remnant ditches of the enclosure though they were clear at the time of the survey by the Haverhill and District Archaeological Group. Isolated site, manorial, water supply from spring, single enclosure, rectangular, partial, 5m wide, 2m deep, partially destroyed. <7> 1983. Site visit. Two arms shown on the 1:2500 map infilled but just visible in arable. <8> Sketch plans of site as in 1978 (presumably from OS), 1983 in <7> <8>. Other ref: <9> 1992. Watching brief. The machine clearance of the moat at Boblow, revealed a number of finds all of a post-medieval date suggesting that the moat was either constructed or cleared of its earlier contents at some point up to the 18th century. The moat was 1.5m deep and filled with a black silty mud which preserved a number of finds including two spoked wagon wheels, an 18th century 'Black' glass wine bottle complete with cork and various potsherds of 18th century date or later. All finds are in possession of the owners. <10>