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MOATED SITES From the Reeve's Tale - June 1998 THE MOATS IN FOXLEY
are the site of a Manor House and farmstead dating back to somewhere between 1100 and 1500. The Norfolk Heritage Explorer says: “In 1305 during the 14th century the manor of Bigod is recorded in documents. The site of this large manor may have been identified in Foxley. A large rectangular medieval moat can be seen on aerial photographs taken of the parish and it has been suggested to be the site of Bigod's manor.” Moats were
very common during that period. They were dug for a variety
of reasons. Defence was
one. Either defence from raiders or
from foxes and wolves attacking livestock. Another was
to make a firebreak and water supply - the buildings were usually made of wood and close to woodland. A large open fire would burn in the main hall and easily set the house on fire. Drainage was
another good reason, if the land got waterlogged, and another - for keeping fish in to eat. At a
later date moats were dug in imitation of the great
castle moats just to enhance
social standing and to show off. The one at Oxborough Hall
in Foxley
Manor is recorded as being
granted by Henry II (1154 - 89) to Sir William de Munchensey. Bawdeswell and Sparham were
part of the Manor. By 1700 it
was in the hands of the Lombe family, whose descendants today live in Marlingford Hall. The writer
does not know when the old Manor House disappeared. RT
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