Archaeological Investigation: 28a Vicarage Rd
Archaeological monitoring of ground reduction. Hand-investigation of significant layers and features. Machine-assisted excavation. Palaeo-environmental samples. GNSS survey. The most significant discovery was a substantial medieval ditch, most probably part of the bailey defensive works of Bradwell Castle, a motte and bailey earthwork (HER 2178;Scheduled Monument 1007935). The discovery is likely to be of regional, if not national interest, particularly as it has been the first opportunity to augment understanding of the castle by controlled archaeological scientific investigation. The analysis of environmental samples indicated a period of ditch neglect, the pottery suggesting this occurred in the 12th / 13th century. At some time later, yet still within the same broad period, the ditch was deliberately in-filled.The findings of the environmental analysis also have significant ramifications for understanding the chronological development of Bradwell during the medieval period: it is postulated that strip cultivation of waste took place after the demise of the castle.
Extract from the report at https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-1974-1/dissemination/pdf/souterra1-510453_192454.pdf
Bradwell Motte and Bailey
The earthwork remains of the motte and bailey are referred to today as Bradwell Castle Mound. The castle is one of a group of monuments in the village, which together are considered to reflect the cohesive framework of medieval society. The other components
comprise a moated manor house, Bradwell Abbey and the parish church of St Lawrence. The motte lies about 80 m northeast of the church, centred at NGR 483199, 239539, while the full extent of the bailey (or baileys) is a matter of conjecture (post, 7.12 & Fig. 8). Such
fortifications were constructed in strategic positions, normally on high ground with all round visibility. It is thought to have been built by one of the Bayeux family during the civil war of 1139-42 in the reign of Stephen, grandson of William I. It comprised a large conical mound of earth or rubble, known as the motte, upon which stood a palisade and timber tower. At the foot of the mound/motte was the bailey, an embanked enclosure with palisade, which housed other buildings – garrison accommodation, stables, stores and so on.
4.6 The motte and bailey earthwork was first surveyed by archaeologists in 1976. The mound rises to a height of 3 m from the ditch bottom and is 22 m in diameter. There are traces of a
bank 1 m high to west of mound. Depressions on its north and south sides were caused by the partial building of a WWII air raid shelter. Prior to the recent investigation at No 28a Vicarage Road, the only archaeological dating evidence from the motte and bailey site amounts to a small assemblage of un-stratified 12th / 13th century pottery sherds found in the garden of the Memorial Hall. Similar pottery was found during grave digging in the northeast corner of the churchyard, c. 79 m SSE of the Application Site7. 4.7 In 2014, monitoring was undertaken by Souterrain at the Memorial Hall while groundworkers hand-excavated foundation trenches for a rear extension. The works exposed no deposits or artefacts earlier than the 19th/20th century, but confirmed that the ground was terraced in the 1920s to enable construction of the hall.
The earthwork remains of the motte and bailey are referred to today as Bradwell Castle Mound. The castle is one of a group of monuments in the village, which together are considered to reflect the cohesive framework of medieval society. The other components
comprise a moated manor house, Bradwell Abbey and the parish church of St Lawrence. The motte lies about 80 m northeast of the church, centred at NGR 483199, 239539, while the full extent of the bailey (or baileys) is a matter of conjecture (post, 7.12 & Fig. 8). Such
fortifications were constructed in strategic positions, normally on high ground with all round visibility. It is thought to have been built by one of the Bayeux family during the civil war of 1139-42 in the reign of Stephen, grandson of William I. It comprised a large conical mound of earth or rubble, known as the motte, upon which stood a palisade and timber tower. At the foot of the mound/motte was the bailey, an embanked enclosure with palisade, which housed other buildings – garrison accommodation, stables, stores and so on.
4.6 The motte and bailey earthwork was first surveyed by archaeologists in 1976. The mound rises to a height of 3 m from the ditch bottom and is 22 m in diameter. There are traces of a
bank 1 m high to west of mound. Depressions on its north and south sides were caused by the partial building of a WWII air raid shelter. Prior to the recent investigation at No 28a Vicarage Road, the only archaeological dating evidence from the motte and bailey site amounts to a small assemblage of un-stratified 12th / 13th century pottery sherds found in the garden of the Memorial Hall. Similar pottery was found during grave digging in the northeast corner of the churchyard, c. 79 m SSE of the Application Site7. 4.7 In 2014, monitoring was undertaken by Souterrain at the Memorial Hall while groundworkers hand-excavated foundation trenches for a rear extension. The works exposed no deposits or artefacts earlier than the 19th/20th century, but confirmed that the ground was terraced in the 1920s to enable construction of the hall.