Witham Town Defences

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Wulverford; Burgate Field; Rivenhall End; Chippinghill; Clipping Hill Camp

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

Witham burh was founded by Edward the elder in 912. Three sites have been suggested as the site: Chipping Hill Camp (TL818151) Wulvesford (TL821142) Burgate Field (Rivenhall End, TL838164) The first has long been associated with the site of the burh, but recent research suggests it is the least likely location. Wulvesford is a curvilinear enclosure which enclosed the Mediaeval town created by the Knight's Templars. It enclosed 27 hectares. Strategically it is a better candidate than Chipping Hill Camp, since it lies across London-Colchester Road. The location makes sense as an offensive earthwork of the campaign of 912, but it is clear that if ever it was intended to become an urban centre, it failed. Burgate Field is a rectangular enclosure adjacent to the London-Colchester Roman Road, enclosing 18 hectares. It is suggested that this was the intended site of the urban centre, which for reasons failed.

This site has been described as a;
Urban Defence.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Possible.
Uncertain remains.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is TL821142

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; 1125133

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 8108, 8109, 8166, 14045