Medieval motte and fishpond, The Mount, Stebbing Park (EHER 1179)

Medieval motte, 750 yards north-west of the church, with a possibly contemporary fishpond.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: The Mount (NAT) Motte (NR). <1> Mount and moat, 750 yards north-west of the church. Circular mount, 225 ft in diameter at the base, 51 ft at the summit, 44 ft high. Wet ditch surrounding, varying in width, crossed by a narrow causeway on the west side. Condition good. <2> Copy of plan of motte and fish pond. <3> Moat is 6-10m wide. <4> Manor held in demesne by Henry de Ferrers (two hides, 30 acres) and Ranulf Peverel (three hides, 30 acres). <5> Ralf, Earl of Chester, fled at the latter part of Stephen's reign, leaving his estates in the king's hands. <6> Three photos. <7> Aerial photographs. <8> 1950. Field survey. In good condition, tree-covered. Moat in fair condition, average depth 1.5m. No obvious traces of buildings or sign of building foundations on the motte. <9> March 1975. Field survey. 'The Mount' name verified. A motte situated on a prominent west facing spur. It measures overall about 70.0m in diameter, is tree planted and partly landscaped. A spiral foot-path ascends to a flat top where a gazebo and icehouse stand. It stands about 11.0m above a surrounding waterfilled ditch (possibly spring fed) that has been partly recut and revetted. There is no trace of a bailey. A possibly contemporary fishpond lies to the south at TL 65842430. It measures overall about 60.0m by 45.0m by about 1.5m deep and is dry. A stream bisects it. Published survey (motte) 25" Ordnance Survey map revised. <10> Site Assessment = Good condition, 1979. <11> 1987. Scheduling. Stebbing Mount. Scheduled no 27. <12> Dam and old pond, now dry. Excavation by Mr Armitage, according to this source. <13> Area = 0.02 See also: <14>