More information : [SK 9479 0825] Moat [GT]. (1)
The moat in Hall Close marks the site of the ancient manor
house, no doubt the hall which Ralph de Normanville was
building in 1221 (2) Scheduled (3). (2-3)
The moat; building remains evident on the island; and
associated fishponds were all surveyed. (4)
Published survey of 1968 still correct. (5)
Adjacent to the river is a broad moat 1 - 15 metres deep with a
causeway at the west corner. South of this and enclosing a platform
are two fishponds and on the north side is a terrace cut into the
hillside, which might have been a garden or orchard. The moat
platform has traces of building foundations. There are indications
of a related enclosure area and old close boundaries to the
north-west. (6)
SK 9475 0826. Moated site with fishponds and enclosures at Empingham.
The moat, which lies with its longest axis parallel to the river, measures approximately 110m x 60m with a ditch 12m wide and more than 3m deep in the northern arm. There is a stone entrance causeway on the north-west side. On the southern side there is an external bank with channel leading towards the river, with less well-defined signs of an outer bank on the east. Evidence of structures exists on the island in the form of stonework foundations defining the outline of a building. To the west is a fishpond 80m in length, 15m wide and 1,5m deep connected by channels to the moat; a second fishpond to the south is 50m long. North of the moat, terraces cut into the hillside are identified as garden or orchard plots which were part of the manorial complex. To the west of this, a hollow way comes down from the north and cuts across a number of banks identified as enclosure boundaries.
Most moats were built between 1250 and 1350, although a documentary reference of 1221 indicates that Empingham may be earlier.
Scheduled (RSM) No 17022. (7) |