Scheduled Ancient Monument: MOATED SITE AT COWLINGE HALL (33288)

The monument includes a medieval moated site at Cowlinge Hall. The moated site includes a trapezoidal island, measuring up to 56m north-south by 64m east-west. This is contained by a waterfilled moat measuring an average 12m in width. Outer banks, measuring up to 10m wide and 0.5m high and thought to have been constructed with material dug from the moat, are visible along the west, south and part of the eastern side. The causeway across the north arm of the moat towards the north east corner, is known to have been in use before 1846 and may represent the original access to the island whilst the footbridge which also crosses the north arm of the moat is believed to be modern. The centre of the island is occupied by Cowlinge Hall, a Listed Building Grade II thought to be of 16th century origin. The moated site is thought to represent the manor of Cowlinge, which is mentioned in the late 13th century as being held by Geoffry de Aspale. By 1337 it had passed to Sir John de Aspale, who had a grant of free warren. In the 15th century the manor had descended through marriage to Philip Tilney and by the second half of the 16th century it was held by Charles Worliche who is known to have resided there. Cowlinge Hall, the footbridge, greenhouse, watertank, all walls, sheds, outhouses, fences, gates, outside lamps, together with the surface of the patio, driveway and other modern made surfaces are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.