Skip to main content

Medieval ring and bailey earthwork, Bishop Bonner's Palace, Orsett (EHER 1855)

Please read our .

Summary

Ring and bailey earthwork alleged to be the site of a palace of the Bishops of London.

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 641 822 (149m by 145m)
Unitary Authority THURROCK, ESSEX

Type and Period

Description

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Ring and bailey earthwork. Comprises a circular enclosure (200ft internal diameter), surrounded by ditch around 50ft wide. To the north an oblong bailey enclosed by a well-defined ditch, on the north side defences are strengthened by a second ditch. 'The work is said to be the site of a palace of the bishops of London'. The only building remains consists of a fragment of rubble foundation on the north-west side of the ringwork. In a wood, 200yds to the west, is a large oblong fish pond. <1> <2> <5> In 1086 13 hides were held by the Bishop of London, but one of these held by Eustace de Boulogne. <3> <4> Aerial photographs: <6> <7> <8> Area = 0.51 Site Assessment = In fairly good condition. <1> In excellent condition in 1953. <2> <12> Resurveyed at 1:2500 in 1957. <13> Additional references <14> <15>

Sources

  • <1> Monograph: RCHME. 1923. An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Volume IV, South-East. Vol 4, p105.
  • <2> RECORD SHEET/FORM: Ordnance Survey. 1950-1990. OS cards. TQ68SW10, 1953.
  • <3> DESC TEXT: Priddy, D.A.. unknown. SMR.
  • <4> Monograph: Doubleday, H.A.. 1903. Victoria County History, Essex, Vol I (VCH). Vol 1.
  • <5> Scheduling record: HBMC. 1985. DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Part 4.
  • <6> Aerial Photograph: Unknown. 1967. AQZ69.
  • <7> Aerial Photograph: Tyler, S.. 1986. 20 & 21.
  • <8> Aerial Photograph: Unknown. 1986. 22.
  • <9> DESC TEXT: Ryan, P.M.. 1995. Orsett Hall Farm House.
  • <10> Aerial Photograph: Meridian Airmaps Limited. 1976. TQ640824.
  • <11> Aerial Photograph (Digital): Saunders, H.. 2016. EX16/03/024-027.
  • <12> PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Ordnance Survey. Field Investigator's Comments. F1 GS 18-MAY-53.
  • <13> PERSONAL OBSERVATION: Ordnance Survey. Field Investigator's Comments. F2 CFW 08-AUG-57.
  • <14> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1923. OS 6 inch 1923. OS 6" 1915/38 Prov Ed.
  • <15> Monograph: RCHME. 1921. An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Essex, Volume II, Central and South-West. Fd 6" Refs to:- RCHM. Essex p105..
  • <16> Collection: Various. Various. Historic England Archive. 888916.
  • <17> Collection: Various. Various. Historic England Archive. AF0615631.

Other References

  • Old SMR Number: TQ68-002
  • NRHE identifier: 414134
  • National Monuments Record: TQ 68 SW 10

Comments

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the website maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.

Comments