Navestock Slades

Description

Earthwork remains of a 16th century manor house and moat. The circular moated mound is like a miniature motte but nothing significant was seen on its summit. It is 2.0m in height. Nothing remains of the original manor of Slades, except heavy scatter of 16th century brick and tile evident in the 'L'-shaped pond suggesting two rectangular moated arms; these average 60.0m. long by 10.0m. wide, but there are no traces of the other arms which would complete the enclosure. The original water level was retained by a bank 2.0.m. high on the outside of the north west arm. Below this are two fishponds (one now dry) each measuring 20.0m long by 10.0m wide. Further to the north west at is a circular moated mound measuring overall 34.0m diameter by 2.4m. high. The ditch of this mound is fed by a drain and culvert which are possibly contemporary with the manor house. Another pond on higher ground to the south east of the house site was probably a supply pond to the moat. The whole complex has an ornamental appearance contemporary with the manor house. (PastScape)

Comments

A 1335 deed which mentions "a windmill outside the gates" suggests that mound is a windmill mound and not the motte suggested by King (although King did call it rather doubtful). However, the immediate post-Conquest history of the site was one of dispute between Ralph de Marcy and the canon's of St Paul's (see VCH) so just possibly started as defensive, or more likely symbolic, mound to assert tenurial claim. Later alteration of such a mound, as a windmill stead and garden prospect mound, do not exclude earlier use.