Early medieval to medieval harbour and site of medieval storage facilities, 'The Hythe', Maldon (EHER 7717)

Partially destroyed. The Hythe is known to have been in use in the medieval period and was probably in use in the Saxon period as the main harbour for Maldon. It was certainly in use by 1066/1086 where documentary evidence suggests there may have also been a boat building yard at the site at this time. The harbour had a quay, loading/unloading and storage facilities. The Hythe in 1540-1550 was only some 250 yards long by about 30 yards wide, including the wharves, and it was probably approximately that size during the medieval period. The Hythe was the earlier of the two harbour areas, Fullbridge being the later (see EHER 18800). No evidence of the medieval facilities are evident, but later buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries, associated with boat manufacture and repair, are extant, as well as former docks, now blocked, and the site continues in use as a harbour.

The port area of Maldon, this formed a distinct settlement form. The medieval quays probably lie just behind the modern ones, behind which were shops and warehouses. Early settlement at the Hythe is reflected in the Norman church of St Mary (EHER 7949), built on a Roman site (see EHER 7948 for more) and which incorporates Roman brick and tile. <1> The High Street led eastwards from the hill-top down to the Hythe, which is known to have been in use in the medieval period and was probably in use in the Saxon period. The provision of a ship for the king as part of the burgesses dues in 1066/1086 suggests that in addition to a quay and presumed loading/unloading and storage facilities, there may well have been a boat-building yard. The Hythe in 1540-1550 was only some 250 yards long by about 30 yards wide, including the wharves, and it was probably approximately that size during the medieval period. On the southern side was St Mary's Church (EHER 7949), to the west was the steep slope up to the High Street and the areas for storing bulky commodities and to the north was pasture. Effectively it was used as a storage and loading place for goods coming in and goods waiting for transport down-river. The Hythe was the earlier of the two harbour areas, Fullbridge being the later (see EHER 18800). No evidence of the medieval facilities are evident, but later buildings of the 18th and 19th centuries, associated with boat manufacture and repair, are extant, as well as former docks, now blocked. In particular, the listed workshop (EHER 38472) of Taylor and Sons, Sailmakers, is a former timber framed and weatherboarded granary of the early 19th century complete with taking-in doors, and associated with a sailing-barge yard. A similar weatherboarded single storey building, probably 20th century in origin, survives at the southern extent of the Hythe and is also used for boat repair purposes. Although these individual buildings survive, in recent years resurfacing and relevelling of the open area, in conjunction with revetment repairs, has altered the historic context of the Hythe. <2> See aerial photographs <3> - <8>.