Chrishall Park Wood

Description

Mound surrounded by a moat, mound 85 x 90m. The moat (2 arms of) is shown on the old county map series (no 0S 25" available) but not the mound. The vicar of Chrishall church says it is 70yds north east of the church. A circular work 120ft in diameter surrounded by a ditch, now dry, except on the west side. The RCHM classifies it as a fortified mount. In the south west corner of Park Wood, a sub-circular ring work in close woodland overlooking land to the west but in an otherwise non-commanding position. The work measures 85m overall east-west by about 90m transversely within the enclosed area (level with the surrounding ground), is 4.5m above the level of the surrounding ditch which varies from 12-20m in width. Although water-filed on the west side a slight east to west slope of the ditch suggests there was no intention to form a wet moat. The interior is mainly level with denuded perimeter banking on the north side and an amorphous raised area in the south east corner. Prominent on the north side of the work with traces visible elsewhere is a crudely formed external spoil bank. Crossing the ditch on the south side is an apparently modern causeway. Surveyed at 1:2500 on AM. The 1955(?) OS card gives different dimensions - 37m wide in diameter surrounded by a moat 2.5m deep and 15m wide. Also, from the south east side of the moat there is an extending arm approx 30m long x 12m wide, also dry. Site heavily overgrown. (Unlocking Essex's Past)

Comments

Called a motte by King although he seems to have based this on the RCHME Inventory report rather than a personal site visit (although both the Inventory and the VCH descriptions are those of a ringwork - although they don't use that term). In reality this is a ringwork as described in the scheduling report.