Medieval boundary ditch, possible Northern bailey of Pleshey Castle, at Little Orchard, Back Lane (EHER 80629)

A watching brief in 2018 identified a medieval boundary ditch, parallel to Back Lane, and backfilled in the late 12th or early 13th century, which might represent the Northern bailey of Pleshey Castle. Post-medieval gravestone fragments were also recovered.

September 2018. Watching brief. The principal result of the watching brief was the identification of a medieval boundary ditch, parallel to Back Lane, and backfilled in the late 12th or early 13th century. The nearby Pleshey Castle (EHER 1126) was established as a Motte and Bailey castle during the 12th century and although the Southern bailey is well defined, only traces of the North bailey exist. The dates of the pottery retrieved from the excavated ditch as well as its location parallel to Back Lane suggest it is likely that this boundary might represent the Northern bailey of Pleshey Castle. Unstratified fragments of post-medieval gravestones were also recovered, and were most likely taken from the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity. <1>