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.

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  West
Norfolk is a fine example of this.

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.
At  the t ime  of  writing the moated site is owned by a farming company called
Albanwise Limited, based at Hill Farm, Barton Bendish in West Norfolk.

The writer does not know when the old Manor House disappeared.  RT