Monument record TQ 66 SW 10 - Medieval - post-medieval enclosed settlement, Stansted

Summary

Earthwork remains of enclosed settlement with bailey to the west. Investigation of the site uncovered the remains of a lookout tower, destroyed in the mid 13th century, a windmill, an oven and a possible bloomery. Pottery dating from the early to mid 12th century was also found.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6286 6141 (94m by 61m)
Map sheet TQ66SW
County KENT
District TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT
Civil Parish STANSTED, TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

[TQ 62766140] Earthwork (NR) (1) 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 (a). Published 1/2500 revised. (2) 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. (3) 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. (b) (4) TQ 628614. 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. (5,6)


<1> OS 6" 1936 (OS Card Reference). SKE48337.

<2> Letter (JEL Caiger 12.11.64) (OS Card Reference). SKE46046.

<3> F1 FGA 16-NOV-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42929.

<4> KAR 4 1966 16-17 (JEL Caiger) (OS Card Reference). SKE45718.

<5> Oral: JEL Caiger Bexleyheath Kent (OS Card Reference). SKE48032.

<6> F2 ASP 07-SEP-66 (OS Card Reference). SKE43087.

<7> Med Arch 9 1965 202 (D Wilson & G Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46771.

<8> Med Arch 11 1967 298 (D Wilson & G Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46725.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 66 SW 10 - November, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3581.

<10> Field report for monument TQ 66 SW 10 - September, 1966 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3582.

Sources/Archives (10)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1936.
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Letter (JEL Caiger 12.11.64).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: F1 FGA 16-NOV-64.
  • <4> OS Card Reference: KAR 4 1966 16-17 (JEL Caiger).
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Oral: JEL Caiger Bexleyheath Kent.
  • <6> OS Card Reference: F2 ASP 07-SEP-66.
  • <7> OS Card Reference: Med Arch 9 1965 202 (D Wilson & G Hurst).
  • <8> OS Card Reference: Med Arch 11 1967 298 (D Wilson & G Hurst).
  • <9> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 66 SW 10 - November, 1964.
  • <10> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 66 SW 10 - September, 1966.

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: HALL WOOD,FAIRSEAT (Ref: EI 14921) (EKE3920)

Record last edited

May 14 2024 1:53PM