Details

The monument at Jekyll's Farm includes a moated site and fishpond situated on
high ground 1km south-east of Cornish Hall End church. The original moated
site was rectangular in shape, measuring 58m north-south by 45m east-west. The
western and southern arms remain intact and water-filled and measure between
5m and 15m in width. The eastern arm is visible as a shallow depression,
approximately 5m wide and 0.6m deep. The northern arm is not visible as it is
covered by dense woodland. A causeway, 7.5m wide, gives access to the island
across the southern part of the western arm. A large rectangular, water-filled
fishpond, 15m south-east of the moat, measures 65m north-south by 17m east-
west.
The moated site is that associated with the family of Robert Jukel in 1235.
The two modern houses, a garage, shed and driveways which occupy the site at
present are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is
included.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches,
often or seasonally water-filled, partly or completely enclosing one or more
islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some
cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites
served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the
provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical
military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was
between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in
central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built
throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and
exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a
significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding
of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples
provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains.

Jekyll's Farm moated site is well preserved. Although filled in, the northern
and eastern arms will retain archaeological information relating to the
occupation of the site whilst the water-filled ditches and fishpond will
retain environmental evidence pertaining to the economy of its inhabitants and
the landscape in which they lived.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Reaney, PH, Place names of Essex, (1935), 427-428

Source: Historic England