Fairseat Hall Wood

Description

A near-rectangular earthwork, measuring 50m. overall, situated on almost level ground in cleared woodland. Poor condition; mutilated by pigs. It consists of a bank and ditch of feeble profile with a small mound at each corner except the S.W., (these mounds may be the result of double upcast from the ditch). A probable original entrance leads into a semi-circular enclosure on the W. side, in which there is a shallow depression, probably an old pond. 20m. from the NE corner of the work is a small earthen mound. Excavated by J.E.L. Caiger in 1964 and large quantity of pottery (cooking pots) found. This suggests a provisional date of early-mid 12th c. for the earthwork, which probably enclosed a hall-type building. Excavation to continue. The excavation of a fortified Md. dwelling near Meopham has continued since 1964. The site covers approximately 1 1/2 acres and consists of a square enclosure with an oval bailey on the W. side. Details of walling etc. exposed in the 1964-66 excavations were pointed out by Mr. Caiger and the published 1/2500 survey revised. Excavations are continuing and a full report will appear in Arch. Cant. Excavations between 1964 and 1966 revealed a possible cattle pond; a small mound which was the remains of a look out tower destroyed by fire in the mid 13th century; the footings of a windmill, an oven and much iron ore perhaps indicating a bloomery. A causeway of slightly later date was also found. (Kent HER)

Comments

The promised excavation report seems never to have been written. Suggestion that this may be a castle seem somewhat fanciful, although many other sites of this size are so described. Certainly a manorial site and with some defensives.