Bocking Mill Hill

In the civil parish of Braintree.
In the historic county of Essex (Modern Authority of Essex, 1974 county of Essex).

Moated mound c10m in diameter at the base x 6ft high. According to OS card of 1950 the moat was partly dry but there were indications that at times it was waterfilled. The moat was horseshoe-shaped with no trace of any continuation on the ditch-less, southern side. The name suggests use as a wind mill mound but the moat could indicate it was originally a small motte. In fairly good condition in 1950. According to the 1975 OS card the site is a moated mill mound, c1.6m high with a diameter of 18m on top. The northern half of the mound had a waterfilled ditch c8m wide x 3.2m deep. No trace of the southern side was noticed and "the ditch ends are terminated deliberately". Later but still old boundary banks encroach on the mound's southern side and the northern side of the ditch but they are later than the earthwork. Shown as `Mill Hill' on 1st Ed OS 6" of 1875 and also as such on other maps.

This site has been described as a;
Timber Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Questionable.
Earthworks remains.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TL76432783

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape number; 378739

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 6258