Perry Court, Babcary

Description

The earthwork remains of a medieval settlement located in a field known as Perry Court. The remains are represented by a series of rectangular, square, circular and linear earthworks which indicate the sites of settlement features such as houses, yards, paddocks or small fields, ponds and at least two connecting hollow ways. Further remains include three pits or dry ponds and the boundary of a manor house. Traces of a low bank around the perimeter of the field in which the earthworks lie can still be seen in places, which suggests that the settlement was enclosed although this bank has become obscured by thick hedges and modern drainage. (PastScape)

Perry, Foddington, Babcary, ST 575302. Impressive earthworks remain within an embanked enclosure in a field called Perry Court. The site appears to be a manor house but no documentary evidence has yet been found. (PastScape ref. Aston)

Comments

The earlier abridged PastScape record suggested the settlement was defended, although it seems only the manor mouse had an embanked enclosure. Earlier versions of this web page (prior to 17-4-2010) called this site an urban defence.
An embankment, as opposed to a moat, is an unusual defensive feature for a manor house however there seems little to think this is a particularly defensive feature or the manor house was meaningfully fortified.