Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Pepper Mill Hill
Hob Uid: 381658
Location : Essex Braintree Bulmer
Grid Ref : TL8502039040
Summary : Probable Medieval mill mound, the circular earthen mound, measures approximately 30m in diameter by 3.2m high, with a ditch 1m deep on the north side. The mound has been mutilated on the west side, and a rectangular depression, possibly later in date, has been dug on the east side. Its exact purpose is uncertain.
More information : TL 8501 3901. Motte and bailey on Auberies Estate - could be "old barrow" (?). It is near the supposed half hundred of Thundersham (now lost). (1) TL 8502 3904. A circular earthen mound known locally as Pepper Mill Hill (name confirmed from Tithe map). It stands on level wooded ground on the edge of the Auberies estate by the side of the main Sudbury to Halstead road and close to the Essex/Suffolk boundary. It measures about 30.0m. in overall diameter by 3.2m. high with a ditch 1.0m. deep on the north side. The mound has been mutilated on the west side and a rectangular depression possibly later, has been dug on the east side. There are no traces of a ramp or causeway and there is no ditch on the south side. The mound stands in a non-defensive position, and no tradition of a motte or earlier barrow is known by the estate office. It may, therefore, be Medieval, but it is possibly an early mill mound as suggested by its name. Its exact purpose is uncertain. Re-surveyed at 1:2500 (2)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : Essex County Planning Dept No 43
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : F1 PAS 27-JUL-76
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Source Number : 2a
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Source details : Tithe Map Bulmer 1840 scale 25" - 1ml.
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Windmill Mound
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Uncertain
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Monument Type : Mound
Evidence : Earthwork

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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TL 83 NE 21
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Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1976-07-27
End Date : 1976-07-27

Historic England Research Records

Pepper Mill Hill