Summary

In the 1930s excavations a pit was found, cut into a layer, probably buried topsoil, over the tail of the rampart to the rear of the outer bank, to the rear of Temple Villa.

Full description

In the 1930s excavations a pit was found, cut into a layer, probably buried topsoil, over the tail of the rampart to the rear of the outer bank, to the rear of Temple Villa. The pit contained C12-C13 pottery. <1> There was some refortification of the outer circuit of the Camp during the medieval period. Rodwell says that is is tempting to see the two curving sections of bank that link the inner and outer circuits on the west as of medieval date, forming two conjoined baileys. The large V-shaped ditch was certainly re-cut in the first half of the 13th century.<2>

Chipping Hill Camp (TL 8197 1519)
Chipping Hill Camp is the preferred option for the site of the tenth century burh, as it would have been a dominant landscape feature at that period. However the only late Saxon evidence from the site consists of a sherd of St Neots ware, a sherd of Thetford-type ware and a tenth century penny. The location of the church and the late Saxon market town at Chipping Hill, immediately outside one of the entrances to the earthwork, is very reminiscent of the layout of the nearby late Saxon town of Maldon and lends support to the suggestion that this area remained the dominant focus of activity in the Witham area at this period.

The manorial hall (TL 8193 1523)
The location of the manorial hall is thought to have been on the site of Temple Farm (now The Grange), which was the only habitation located within Chipping Hill Camp (Rodwell, 1993).<10>

Hunting Surveys Limited, 1960, TL81 (AP). SEX59103.

unknown, 1988, 24/3 (AP). SEX67852.

unknown, 1988, 24/4 (AP). SEX67851.

unknown, 1988, 84-1, 2 (AP). SEX58121.

unknown, 1988, TL81NW 24/2 (AP). SEX59147.

unknown, 1988, TL81NW 24/5 (AP). SEX59148.

<1> unknown, unknown, The earthworks at Witham: The excavations in 1933-5 (DESC TEXT). SEX26166.

<2> Rodwell, Warwick J, 1993, The origins and early development of Witham, Essex, Oxbow Monograph 26 (DESC TEXT). SEX26182.

<10> Medlycott, Maria, 1999, Witham Historic Town Assessment Report (DESC TEXT). SEX61565.

Monument Types

• DITCH (C13, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• EARTHWORK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• PIT (C12-C13, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds

• VESSEL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Events

• PART EXCAV by Cottrill, F, (Ref: ?)
• PART EXCAV by Davison, BK, (Ref: ?)

Sources and further reading

Related records

Images

Chipping Hill excavations, Witham © Essex County Council	Chipping Hill excavations, Witham © Essex County Council
Chipping Hill excavations, Witham © Essex County Council	Chipping Hill excavations, Witham © Essex County Council
1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council	1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council
1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council	1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council
1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council	1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council
1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council	1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council
1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council	1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council
1933-35 Excavations, Witham © Essex County Council

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.