Possible site of medieval mansion/manor or castle, Fitz Rafe, near The Manor House (EHER 82660)

A 16th century house is on the probable site of a former mansion or castle, which was extant in the 13th century.

NRHE data transfer: Fitz Rafe mansion house (presumably Rafe Hall, TL 857335) stands near a brook in Pebmarsh Street, At one end of it was an ancient chapel, and not far from it in Castle Meadow stood a castle whose remains were barely visible in 1768. <1> - <3> November 1977. Field visit. The guide to St John the Baptist's Church Pebmarsh states "Apparently the family of Sir William Fizralph held the Manor of Pebmarsh which is now the Post Office". This building stands at TL 85323348, 60.0m east of where a stream crosses the village street. It is timber-framed and plastered, but modernised and not outstanding. See photograph. RCHM <4> date the house to the 16th century which is confirmed by its former owner Mr. Trendall who said that it occupies the site of the former mansion. A length of flint rubble walling about 0.6m wide was uncovered in 1950 at TL 85293347 whilst digging a drain but this was not positively identified as part of the mansion or suggested castle. Castle Meadow is centred TL 85253353 <5>, on low ground to the west of a stream and is cut by drains. No structures have been encountered here. No evidence was found to connect this site with the former rectory, now called Rafe Hall, which stands uphill 400.0m to the east. <6>