Medieval moat and possible site of castle, Paddock Wood (EHER 4757)

A medieval moated site located in the south west part of Paddock Wood, 560 metres north east of Chesterford Park. A central ditch dissects the island and is thought to be a later feature. The moat is of an irregular shape and the arms are partly waterlogged. Excavations which took place in 1970 and 1977 investigated the theory that this was the site of a castle built by the Earl of Gloucester sometime after 1257. During the excavations, part of a stone wall was uncovered along with metalwork finds which included a knife blade and pottery dating from the Saxon and Norman period to the 13th or 14th centuries.

General information: Moat, excavated by Chesterford Park Archaeological Society. <1> Homestead moat of irregular form in Paddock Wood, 2 miles east of the church. Irregular in form and fairly well preserved. The uneven surface of the enclosed area suggests the existence of 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 around 1600, 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> This site may be linked to the one in Bassingbourne Wood. <4> TL 537 429: Moat (NR). <5> See also <6> <7>. Archaeological interventions at the site: 1970-1975 and 1977. Archaeological excavation. 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 two adjacent points on the moat, a network of enclosures radiates, covering almost the whole eastern part of the moat, approximately 120 sq m in extent, 'yet' to be fully surveyed. A rectangular pond at TL 5360 4305 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, three 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. <8> <9> 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. <10> Supposedly Saxon finds assessed as medieval by W.T. Jones '13th century seems to be about their date'. <11> 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. <12> [1973]. The moat is in process of excavation by the Chesterford Park Archaeological Society. Finds to date include remains of a "crude stone wall" within the moated area, identified as part of the "main structure", thousands of medieval pottery fragments including early green-glazed ware, metal objects (nails, horseshoes etc) and three pieces of "ornate bronze with gilt overlay" (awaiting British Museum classification). Documentary research indicates that from the Domesday survey to about 1600, the surrounding lands were within the manor of Manhall, and it is thought that the manor house was in the Emanuel Wood - Four Acre Grove area (centred TL 531 416) where a large spread of medieval pottery fragments and rubble has been found covering an area of about 1/4 mile square. (See TL 54 SW 26) In 1257 Richard Earl of Gloucester was granted a licence to build a castle on his land at Manhall and the excavators believe that the castle may have been at the site being examined in Paddock Wood. <13> Report on the archive and the finds held by Little Chesterford Park Historical Society. Finds include three boxes of Early Medieval pottery, deer bone, a few shells and metalwork. <14> January 1977. Field survey. In Paddock Wood there is an irregular, part water-filled homestead moat fed by surface drainage and measuring overall 68 metres east to west by 64 metres north to south, with arms averaging 8 metres wide by 1.5 metres deep. A central ditch partly bisects the site, but this is thought to be later than the moat. (<15>) Excavations carried out by the Chesterford Park Archaeological Society are still open and the walling of a building is visible at TL 5372 4295. Published survey (25") revised. <16> 1993. Scheduled Ancient Monument. A medieval moated site located in the south west part of Paddock Wood 560 metres northeast of Chesterford Park. A central ditch disects the island and is thought to be a later feature. Excavations which took place in 1970 and 1977 investigated the theory that this was the site of a castle built by Richard, Earl of Gloucester sometime after 1257. During the excavations, part of a crude stone wall was uncovered along with metalwork finds which included a knife blade with a silver damascene initial and pottery dating from the 13th or 14th century. Scheduled. <17>