Witham Blunts Hall

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

'The Blunts Hall earthwork falls into one of the more elaborate categories of moat: that of a moat with prominent internal bank and raised internal platform. This type derives from the ring-work tradition of small fortified sites and probably here representing the defending of manorial buildings.' Dating is dependent on the pottery recovered, giving a suggested occupation period of 1050-1200. The Anarchy provides a likely historical background, 1135-1150. Documentary evidence provides clues as to ownership but no certainties. Two theories are suggested in this source. Firstly, that the earthwork was built by William de Tregoz whose family held the greater part of the manor of Blunts in 1135. Alternatively, Geoffrey de Mandeville was the builder. The honour of the manor and William's knights fees were granted to Geoffrey in 1141.

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

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TL807143

PastScape number; 381250

Books

RCHME, 1921, An inventory of the historical monuments in Essex. Vol2 [central and south-west] p265

Journal Articles

Bradley, J and Gaimster, M. (eds), 2004, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2003' Medieval Archaeology Vol48 p261
Trump, D.H.,1961, 'Blunt's Hall, Witham' Essex Archaeological Society transactions (Third Series) Vol1 pt1 p37-40

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Witham Blunts Hall

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TL807143

Sources of information, references and further reading