just because it appears defensive now, does not mean that it didnt start out life as a henge. I could quite easily have been a henge re-used.
In this area there are plent of castles and peel towers that were errected to defend from the scots. If the Hall itself is an unfortified building, it would seem off that the embankment could have been part of its fortifications.
I havent seen the hall myself. What sort of age would you reckon the hall to be?
Also as far as I know, embankments that are not of the mott and bailey type as a form of defense are not used. And certainly never without a moat.
