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Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 374302

Hob Uid: 374302
Location :
Essex
Uttlesford
Saffron Walden, Little Chesterford
Grid Ref : TL5370042950
Summary : A medieval moated site located in the south west part of Paddock Wood, 560 metres north east of Chesterford Park. A central ditch dissects the island and is thought to be a later feature. The moat is of an irregular shape and the arms are partly waterlogged. Excavations which took place in 1970 and 1977 investigated the theory that this was the site of a castle built by the Earl of Gloucester sometime after 1257. During the excavations, part of a stone wall was uncovered along with metalwork finds which included a knife blade and pottery dating from the Saxon and Norman period to the 13th or 14th centuries.
More information : Homestead moat of irregular form in Paddock Wood. The uneven surface of the enclosed area suggests the existence of foundations. (1)

TL 537 429: Moat (NR) (2)

The moat is in process of excavation by the Chesterford Park
Archaeological Society. Finds to date include remains of a "crude stone wall" within the moated area, identified as part of the "main structure", thousands of medieval pottery fragments including early green-glazed ware, metal objects (nails, horseshoes etc) and three pieces of "ornate bronze with gilt overlay" (awaiting British Museum classification).

Documentary research indicates that from the Domesday survey to about 1600, the surrounding lands were within the manor of
Manhall, and it is thought that the manor house was in the Emanuel Wood - Four Acre Grove area (centred TL 531 416) where a large spread of medieval pottery fragments and rubble has been found covering an area of about 1/4 mile square. (See TL 54 SW 26)

In 1257 Richard Earl of Gloucester was granted a licence to build a castle on his land at Manhall and the excavators believe that the castle may have been at the site being examined in Paddock Wood. (3)

In Paddock Wood there is an irregular, part water-filled homestead moat fed by surface drainage and measuring overall
68 metres east to west by 64 metres north to south, with arms averaging 8 metres wide by 1.5 metres deep. A central ditch partly bisects the site, but this is thought to be later than the moat. (a)

Excavations carried out by the Chesterford Park Archaeological Society are still open and the walling of a building is visible at TL 5372 4295.

Published survey (25") revised. (4)

TL 537 429: Excavations continuing. Bronzework, iron objects and pottery of Saxon and Norman to 14th century date have been
recovered. (5-6)

A medieval moated site located in the south west part of Paddock Wood 560 metres northeast of Chesterford Park. A central ditch disects the island and is thought to be a later feature. Excavations which took place in 1970 and 1977 investigated the theory that this was the site of a castle built by Richard, Earl of Gloucester sometime after 1257. During the excavations, part of a crude stone wall was uncovered along with metalwork finds which included a knife blade with a silver damascene initial and pottery dating from the 13th or 14th century. Scheduled.(7)

Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : 1916
Page(s) : 115
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Vol(s) : 1
Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1960
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Miscellaneous Report of Chesterford Park Archaeological Society since 1970 (1973)
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Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details : F1 PAS 04-JAN-1977
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Source Number : 4a
Source :
Source details : Mr D W Smith, Chesterford Park Archaeological Society
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Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details : 1977 (C R Couchman)
Page(s) : 99
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Plates :
Vol(s) : 9
Source Number : 6
Source :
Source details : 1979 illusts (Couchman)
Page(s) : 56-7
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 11
Source Number : 7
Source :
Source details : EH scheduling revision, 26-FEB-1993
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Saxon
Monument End Date : 1066
Monument Start Date : 450
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Norman
Monument End Date : 1154
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find
Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : C13/C14
Monument End Date : 1399
Monument Start Date : 1200
Monument Type : Castle, Moat, Wall
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Earthwork, Sub Surface Deposit, Find

Components and Objects:
Period : Early Medieval
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : VESSEL
Object Material : Pottery
Period : Medieval
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : VESSEL
Object Material : Pottery
Period : Medieval
Component Monument Type : Castle, Moat, Wall
Object Type : VESSEL, KNIFE, BLADE
Object Material : Pottery, Silver

Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Essex)
External Cross Reference Number : TL 54.18
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 20688
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TL 54 SW 29
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :
Related Activities :
Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1971-01-01
End Date : 1979-12-31
Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1977-01-04
End Date : 1977-01-04