Possible medieval bailey ditch, 35 London Hill, Rayleigh (EHER 47145)

A watching brief in 2004 recorded evidence for an undated possible cut feature which was interpreted as a possible ditch associated with the bailey at Rochford Castle (see EHER 16349). A multi-period finds assemblage was also recovered.

September 2004. Watching brief. The site lies at the west end of the upper garden terrace (see EHER 13586). On the north side of the site were deposits of clay which contained archaeological finds to between 1m and 1.2m deep. Part of the south edge and probable west end of the clay deposits were exposed which gave the impression of a large feature terminating on the west side of the site. The upper clay deposits (500mm-600mm) within this feature contained finds of modern to post-medieval date, with a small quantity of residual medieval and Roman finds. The lower deposits produced very little other than occasional peg-tile pieces and a small sherd of medieval pottery. It is not clear if the clay deposits represent a cut feature. It is possible that they are soil dump or infill associated with the terracing on the slope, though the stratigraphy and finds suggest that they represent more than one episode and could represent a sequential accumulation of layers filling a feature. Although at an angle to the garden terracing, the feature is approximately consistent with the line of the upper terrace further east. However, previous excavations along Bellingham Lane have located a large ditch considered to be part of an outer bailey. The clay-filled feature observed during the watching brief also shares the line of the bailey ditch and thus may represent a continuation of it (see EHER 16349). <1>