Site of medieval hall, 'Parndon Hall', near Parndon Lock (EHER 20)

The site of Little Parndon Hall, with moat remains (see EHER 82916) and the possible site of a medieval deserted settlement.

Domestic site. <1> Moat incomplete, rectangular. <2> 1987. Scheduled Ancient Monument. North, east and south sides of moat survive, waterfilled. The southern side seems to have been obliterated by the railway. A small pond south of the railway probably once formed the moat's south west corner. The site of Parndon Hall is nearby. 'It is reasonable to suppose that the earlier Parndon Hall once stood inside the moated enclosure'. The site of the later hall is at TL 440 110 and, although nothing survives above ground, 'the lines of walls can be seen under the turf'. This site is Essex SAM 069, the moat (at TL 440112) is SAM 067. <3> Three photos in EHER. <4> Site Management: Trees were planted on some areas of the earthworks, this was noted by a DOE inspector who requested Harlow District Council to desist from the practice which they agreed to do in a letter dated 13 July 1976. <5> <6> SMC (Scheduled Monument Consent) granted in 1989 for removal of hardcore and dumped waste from the scheduled area; the raking and seeding with grass and continuous maintenance, and the erection of a hay bale boundary. A number of conditions were attached to the consent, including access archaeological recording. <7> SMC granted, 1990 for restoration of the moat. <8> See aerial photograph and cropmark plot. <9> <10> NRHE data transfer: Parndon Hall (NR). <11> Little Parndon Hall was rebuilt about 1780 but was mostly pulled down in 1832. <12> It was still shown on a plan of 1839 as a large collection of buildings in the area of the O.S. published siting symbol but appears to have been finally destroyed in 1840 when the railway was built, as it does not appear on the 1841 Tithe map. The 1839 plan shows the homestead moat as complete with an entrance across the mdidle of the west arm. <13> <14> <15> June 1962. Field survey. The Published survey (25" 1947) of the homestead moat is correct although a small pond south of the railway line which was probably part of the west arm has now been filled. With exception of a small platform at TL 4391103, which probably marked the site of the hall proper, the earthworks surrounding Little Parndon Hall have been destroyed by tipping. <16> September 1975. Field survey. No change to homestead moat survey; field report by source <16> correct. The pond and Medieval earthworks of the suspected Deserted Medieval Village have been covered by tipping. Published survey 1:1,250 and 1:2,500 correct. <17>