|
|
| Monument Name |
Paddock Wood |
|
| SMR Number |
4757 |
|
| Summary |
Moat, excavated by Chesterford Park Archaeological Society. |
|
| Media |
|
|
| Associated Media |
|
|
| Description |
Moat, excavated by Chesterford Park Archaeological Society. <1> Homestead moat 2 miles east of the church. Irregular in form and fairly well preserved. Uneven surface within, may indicate foundations. <2> An irregular, part waterfilled homestead moat fed by surface drainage, measuring 68m east-west x 64m north-south. The arms average 8m wide x 1.5m deep. A central ditch part bisects the site, thought to be later than the moat. Documentary research indicates that, from Domesday to c1600, the surrounding lands were within the manor of Manhall. It is thought that the manor house was at TL 531416 (old sheet TL 54-027, new sheet 4768). In 1257 Richard, Earl of Gloucester, was granted a licence to build a castle on his land at Manhall. The excavators believe the castle may have been here, in Paddock Wood. The excavation uncovered the remains of a 'crude stone wall' within the enclosed area, identified as part of the 'main structure'. Finds: thousands of potsherds, medieval, including early green glazed ware, metal finds (nails, horseshoes etc), 3 pieces of 'ornate bronze with gilt overlay' (awaiting BM classification). <3> Excavation by amateur group with professional guidance. Excavations were limited owing to the dense tree growth. Excavations began in late 1970. Due to the nature of the site foundations of the anticipated building were not located until early 1975. Work on the site had ceased in 1976 but continuation was assumed for 1977. Excavation was within the roughly triangular moat. From 2 adjacent points on the moat a network of enclosures radiates, covering almost the whole eastern part of the moat, c120 sq m in extent, 'yet' to be fully surveyed. A rectangular pond at TL 53604305 is thought to be associated. A further shallow ditches cuts across the main moated enclosure. The enclosure and ditch were surveyed in plan only. The building is 'now' thought to have stood in the south-east corner of the site close to the moat's inner lip. Foundations of rough, assorted, unworked stone were located. Preliminary section of the main moat indicates a possible recutting process. Iron finds: nails, horseshoes, door latch, hinge pivot pin, knife blade with silver damascene initial (from X ray), a socketed arrowhead. Bronze finds: a small wire ring, 3 pieces of decorative work with gilt overlay (thought to be Saxon-not so). The latter consisted of: a buckle, a strap hanger with rivets, a probable strap embellishment with a zoomorphic pattern. Pottery: late 13th-14th century, much in grey fabrics, glazes green, brown and cream. A small amount of St Neot's ware was found. <4> <5> Supposedly Saxon finds assessed as medieval by W T Jones '13th century seems to be about their date'. <6> Arrowhead, buckle and a small metal bead were found in very close association with 13th century, probably, pottery. Depth of finds was consistent with the general occupation strata (pottery 13th-14th centuries). Strap hanger found in general occupation layer-some 9m away. Potsherds of the general date were in association. The brooch was also in association with the general pottery-it is a brooch or belt embellishment. Pieces are all bronze with gilt overlay-one set for a bridle or a belt? The knife blade was found in the lower silts of the moat section. No associated finds but it is probably medieval. <7> This site may be linked to the one in Bassingbourne Wood. <8> Finds published in Essex Archaeology and History, including drawings. Gilt bronze buckle and buckle plate, zoomorphic bronze buckle or belt embellishment, strap hanger. Also: a bronze ring, a bronze bead or button, an iron arrowhead, iron knife. Knife not closely dated within the medieval period. Arrowhead is pre conquest to 13th century. <9> Other refs: <10> <11>
Report on the archive and the finds held by Little Chesterford Park Historical Society <12> Finds include 3 boxes of Early Medieval pottery, deer bone, a few shells and metalwork. |
|
| Monument Type(s) |
FISHPOND (Dated 1066AD to 1539AD)
MOAT (Dated 1066AD to 1539AD)
BUILDING (Dated 1066AD to 1539AD)
ENCLOSURE (Dated 1066AD to 1539AD)
WALL (Dated 1066AD to 1539AD)
|
|
| Monument Class(es) |
EARTHWORK
STONE
SUB SURFACE DEPOSIT
|
|
|
Period
|
1066AD to 1539AD Medieval
|
|
| Status |
Scheduled Monument |
|
| Administration Area |
LITTLE CHESTERFORD, UTTLESFORD, ESSEX |
|
|
National Grid Reference
|
Square: TL54SW
Ref: 537429 |
|
| Finds |
IRON ARROWHEAD (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
BRONZE BELT (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
BRONZE BUCKLE (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
IRON HORSESHOE (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
IRON KNIFE (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
IRON NAIL (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
BRONZE RING (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
BRONZE STRAP FITTING (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
BRONZE STRAP FITTING (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
POTTERY VESSEL (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
POTTERY VESSEL (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
STONE WALL (Dated 1066AD To 1539AD)
|
|
| Events |
PART EXCAV by Chesterford Park Archaeol Soc, 1970-
|
|
|
Sources
|
Desc Text : An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Vol 1 (RCHME) p115 Dated : 1916
Desc Text : An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Vol 1 (RCHME) Vol 1, p115 Dated : 1916
Desc Text : SMR Form (unknown) Dated : 1960s to
Desc Text : Medieval Britain in 1970 (Wilson, DM and Moorhouse, S) Vol 15, p161 Dated : 1971
Desc Text : Medieval Britain in 1971 (Webster, LE and Cherry, J) Vol 16, pp193-194 Dated : 1972
Desc Text : Copy of a report submitted to the Archaeology Section of ECC (Smith, DW) Dated : 1976
Desc Text : Excavations in Essex, 1976 (Smith, B and Bossom, R in Couchman, CR) Vol 12, No 4, p92 Dated : 1977
Desc Text : TL54SW29 (unknown) Dated : 1977
CORRESPONDENCE : Paddock Wood, Little Chesterford (Jones, WT) Dated : 1978
CORRESPONDENCE : SMR (Smith, DW) Dated : 1978
Desc Text : Work of the Essex County Council Archaeology Section, 1978 (Couchman, CR in Couchman, CR) Vol 11, p57 Dated : 1979
Desc Text : Report on material held by Little Chesterford Park Historical Society (McMichael, P) Dated : 1999
|
| View on Map |
|
