Rickling Hall Motte

In the civil parish of Quendon And Rickling.
In the historic county of Essex (Modern Authority of Essex, 1974 county of Essex).

Remains of a large quadrangular building of C14-C15, built in what was probably the bailey of the former castle. Motte and bailey castle south of Rickling Hall. The mount is 18 1/2 ft high and 135ft in diameter at the base. The ditch, now 5ft deep, has been partly destroyed. The ditch and part of a bailey, which apparently existed on the north, have been converted into the moat of the present house. In 1950 the mount was in rather poor condition, was tree covered and apparently a favourite place for cattle in the summer, consequently it was much trampled and somewhat despoiled. Height 4-5m above ground. According to OS 1975 the motte has been disturbed by landscaping and the ditch destroyed. 40m overall in diameter and 5m high. The bailey ditch to the west was converted into the hall moat. Traces of a continuation of the bailey to north and east survive in the form of a farm pond (TL 49983024) and a scarp 1m high to the east of the Hall. Where best preserved the ditch is 22m wide x 2m deep. Last surveyed 30 years ago (1975) so what current condition is is uncertain.

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

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TL49923022

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; 370689

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 3921