Archaeological excavation by E.B. Francis at Rayleigh Castle, Rayleigh, 1909-1910 - EEX37672

The then owner of Rayleigh Castle, E.B. Francis, excavated the site to discern if foundations remained concealed below ground. The excavation had been prompted by the accidental discovery of 'stone and mortar… at hardly a foot below the turf, on the east of the bailey'. Work started in autumn of 1909 and by Christmas 'a system of regular trenches was commenced'. In a paper presented on 10th September 1910, E.B. Francis described the excavation as unfinished, noting that the progression was hampered by spoil heaps from the existing work blocking potential excavation areas. The same paper mentions that Miller Christy and F.W. Reader were among those who visited the site and offered advice to E.B. Frances. An accompanying illustration suggests that most of Francis' work took place to the south-east of the castle keep, in the area described as the bailey, with some additional work on the north-east and south-east of the mount.