LAND AT HALL ROAD ROCHFORD ESSEX...

2111

LAND AT HALL ROAD

ROCHFORD

ESSEX

ARCHAEOLOGICAL

DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

Field Archaeology Unit

OCTOBER 2009

LAND AT HALL ROAD

ROCHFORD

ESSEX

ARCHAEOLOGICAL

DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

Prepared By: Ellen Heppell Position: Project Officer

Approved By: Patrick Allen Position: Project Manager

Document Ref.: 2111dba Report Issue Date: October 2009 Circulation: Bellway Homes Ltd

As part of our desire to provide a quality service, we would welcome any comments you may have on the content or the presentation of this report. Please contact the

Archaeological Fieldwork Manager, at the

Field Archaeology Unit, Fairfield Court, Fairfield Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 3YQ.

[email protected] Tel: 01376 331470

Fax: 01376 331428

© Field Archaeology Unit, Essex County Council, c/o County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. SITE LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY

3. STATUTORY AND OTHER DESIGNATIONS 3.1 Scheduled Monuments 3.2 Listed Buildings 3.3 Other Designations

4. SURVEY AND FIELDWORK HISTORY 4.1 Aerial Photographic Survey 4.2 Landscape Survey 4.3 Evaluation Trenching and Excavation

5. ASSESSMENT 5.1 Prehistoric 5.2 Roman 5.3 Saxon and Medieval 4.4 Post-medieval and Modern 4.5 Rochford Town

6. ASSESSMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REFERENCES

FIGURES (at end of report) Fig. 1. Location Fig. 2. Designated Areas Fig. 3. Constraints (detail) Fig. 3. EHER References Fig. 4. Ordnance Survey 1st edition (1876) Fig. 5. Ordnance Survey 4th edition (1936-47)

LAND AT HALL ROAD ROCHFORD

ESSEX

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT

Client: Bellway Homes Ltd - Essex

NGR: TQ 865 909 (centred)

Planning Status: pre-application

ECC FAU Project No: 2111

1 INTRODUCTION

This report presents an archaeological desk-based assessment of areas of land to the

north and south of Hall Road, Rochford. The assessment has been carried out as part

of a scoping exercise to provide information on the known historic environment within

and in the immediate vicinity of the study area and an assessment of the potential for

archaeological remains to be present. It also considers potential constraints to

development relating to the historic environment.

The desk-based assessment is based on a search of readily available sources for

archaeological and historical sites within a 0.5km radius of the site with material beyond

that limit included if considered to be relevant. The sources consulted include:

• The Essex Historic Environment Record (EHER), maintained by Essex CC,

County Hall, Chelmsford

• The Schedule of Monuments (SAM) listed under the Ancient Monuments Act

1979

• The Register of Listed Buildings (LB)

• National Mapping Programme aerial photographic plots

1

Land at Hall Road, Rochford, Essex Archaeological Desk-based Assessment

Prepared for Bellway Homes

• Historic Ordnance Survey maps

• The Royal Commission on Historic Monuments for England; Historic Monuments

in Essex

The desk-based assessment has not been carried out to full English Heritage/Institute of

Field Archaeologists standards; the collections of the Essex Record Office have not

been consulted. However, it is considered that the assessment has identified the most

important aspects of the site’s archaeological and historical background.

2. LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY

The study area is located to the west of the town of Rochford, straddling Hall Road. The

area to the south of the road comprises a single field crossed by a path, a thin access

corridor and an area to the west and north of Rochford Hall (c. 14 ha). To the north the

study area comprises two fields (c. 34ha).

The Ordnance Survey show the study area slopes down fronm c. 15m OD in the west to

c. 10m OD in the east. The underlying geology comprises undifferentiated clay and silt

(river trace deposits 1-3), with a fringe of alluvial deposits along a brook/stream forming

the southern boundary of the area.

3 STATUTORY AND OTHER DESIGNATIONS

3.1 Scheduled Monuments No monuments scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Act 1979 lie within the study

area. However the study area, as defined by the client, includes an area immediately to

the west and north of Rochford Hall, the unoccupied portions of which are Scheduled

(EHER 16321-2; SAM EX41; Figs 1 and 2).

The extant hall was built c. 1540-50 by Lord Rich, but has possible 12-13th century

origins. It comprises a two-storey house, once one of the largest houses in the country

with three to four courtyards. The house is of mixed rubble and brick construction, and is

plaster covered. However the southern buildings have been destroyed and other

buildings altered (RCHME 1923, 129; Pevsner 1965, 327).

2



The EHER notes that in the north-west the building contains a course of reused Roman

tile and that an inspection in 1974 identified re-used older material and a "a building of

great age" of stone, concluding that "… there was a building of C12-C13, then ruined

and restored early C16 using old materials...” (EHER 16321).

Investigations in the 1980s recovered medieval pottery of late 13th to early 15th century

date and medieval cut features were revealed. The earlier buildings were situated within

a moated enclosure, located just inside the line of the existing buildings.

Small-scale excavations in 1984-5 showed that the present hall was originally moated.

Approximately 120m to the south of the road an area of burning and Tudor bricks was

noted when some trees were blown over. It is thought that these remains may represent

a Tudor brickworks, although it is not known whether this is linked to the building works

at the Hall in the 1430’s or 1540’s, or the church (EHER 16321-2).

3.2 Listed Buildings

In addition to it’s Scheduled status Rochford Hall and ruins are Grade I listed (English

Heritage LBS No. 123200). The listing entry includes the following detail with regards to

grading and historical background:

‘A memo by C.A. Hewett states "The structural carpentry of this building is

confirmed as original to the building, the precedent for the

techniquesemployed survives in "The Queens House", Tower of London,

and dated circa 1598,no evidence has been seen that can indicate

disturbance or renewal of this timber work which comprises the first floor

and roof of parts standing to full height," and "The standard of accuracy and

excellence of finish justifies a Grade I listing and the technological

innovation if proved earlier than St. Pauls deanery (1666) is of national

importance." Historically Thos. Butler seventh Earl of Ormonde (d. 1515)

once owned the Hall as did Sir Thos. Bullen (d. 1538), father of Ann Boleyn

and later Lord Rich (d. 1567) Chancellor of England. During the period

1540-1550 the date given by RCHM for the building it was assigned by

3



Bullen's elder daughter, Mary, Lady Stafford and her son by her first

marriage, Lord Hunsdon. The Rochford Historian, Benton mentions 2 fires,

"one in the time of James Butler who was beheaded 1461 and the second

1760 when the Hall remained for some time in a ruinous condition, when

the windows were modernised and the red brickwork was encased in

plaster."

In addition to the hall a wall and attached barns at the north–east boundary are Grade II

listed (English Heritage LBS No. 123201). The barns are of 16th century date, with later

repair.

To the south–east of the hall complex lies St Andrew’s Church which is Grade II* listed

(English Heritage LBS No. 123198). In the churchyard the headstone and surround of

the grave of James Banyard, born 31 January 1800, died 31 October 1897 is Grade II

listed (English Heritage LBS No. 123199). Banyard was the founder of The Peculiar

People in Essex. An offshoot of the Wesleyans, this grass roots revivalist sect was

known for agricultural and social reform, along with a faith in the power of prayer rather

than medicine. Membership peaked in the 1850s, but following decline in 1956 they

were renamed as the Union of Evangelical Churches.

A milestone on the northern side of Hall Road, opposite The Birches, is also Grade II

listed (English Heritage LBS No. 123202).

3.3 Other Designations Part of the study area, that to the south of Hall Road in the vicinity of Rochford Hall, lies

within a Conservation Area defined by Rochford District Council (Fig 2). The original

conservation area was designated in 1969 to cover the core of the historic town centre,

but has since been extended to include backlands to the east of South Street, and an

area to the west of town incorporating the area around Rochford Hall and the parish

church.

Conservation areas are ‘Areas of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, the character

or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’ (Planning (Listed

4



Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990). They are designated by the local

authority, who also have a responsibility to formulate policies for their preservation and

enhancement and to review said polices. Whereas Scheduled Monuments and Listed

Buildings relate to individual monuments a conservation area considers these within a

wider landscape, such as the historic layout of property boundaries, mix of uses,

characteristic materials, quality of vistas etc.

In their ‘Rochford Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan’ (May 2007) the

District Council (RDC), characterise the area as “… a modest but exceptionally well

preserved market town …” and that “… to the west there are large areas of open space

around the parish church and manorial centre of Rochford Hall …” (RDC 2007, 1). The

character zone around the Church and Hall is considered to be readily recognisable unit.

The church / hall complex in isolation from the town or village was common in this part of

Essex, and Rochford Hall represents a good example.

In their area analysis RDC note that, until the early 20th century, Hall Road was

undeveloped, although there are now houses along the southern side of the road, west

of the Hall. The road is considered to have a rural feel, enhancing the approach to the

town and the setting of the Hall.

A Public Right of Way (footpath) runs across the field to the south of Hall Road,

diagonally from the south-west to the north-east. Public Rights of Way are highways that

are protected by legislation and can only be diverted or closed by legal order.

To the north a track links Hall Road and Ironwell Lane, crossing the study area (Fig 2),

this is marked as a footpath on the Ordnance Survey and may be a Public Right of Way.

Ironwell Lane, which marks the northernmost limit of the study area, is a Public Byway

(Fig 2).

The study are lies within the Green Belt, providing a gap between Rochford and

Hockley/Hawkwell.

5



3.4 Rochford District Historical Environment Characterisation Project The character of the historical environment and landscape of the Rochford area has

recently been assessed (ECC HEB 2009), under the following headings:

• Historical Environment Character (HEC) Area 8; Upper Roach Valley

• Historical Landscape Character Areas(HLA); 18, 19 & 22

These historical environment characterisation areas are not statutory designations, but

are relevant as they provide a framework for more detailed assessment of the character

and significance of archaeological and historical remains against their wider background

of archaeological, historical and landscape study. That for Rochford was prepared for

the District Council by ECC Historic Environment Management team, who provide

archaeological advice on planning matters (including planning applications) to the LPA.

The general character of the wider area (the Character Area) is described as an open

fieldscape with tracts of ancient woodland and some older fields. The area of rolling hills

and valleys contains little settlement and few roads, retaining a rural character. It is

considered that in this area significant areas of the historic landscape survive. Although

few archaeological sites have been identified this reflects a lack of investigation, and it is

considered to be an area of archaeological potential, particularly for the prehistoric

periods ECC HEB 2009, 43-4).

The smaller units, the Landscape Character Areas, are assessed as being areas where

multi-period activity has been identified (although the lack of investigation is noted in

HLA 19, South-West of Hawkwell). The level of survival is variable, depending on the

degree of modern disturbance, this also pallies to the archaeological potential of the

character areas (ECC HEB 2009, 85-91).

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4.0 SURVEY AND FIELDWORK HISTORY

4.1 Aerial Photographic Survey Early landscape features are often visible as cropmarks (below-ground features showing

as differential growth in crops or pasture) recorded on aerial photographs and then

plotted onto an Ordnance Survey base map. The plots from such photographs,

prepared as part of the National Mapping Programme, do not show any cropmarks in the

study area.

4.2 Landscape Survey The Rochford District Historical Environment Characterisation Project has provided a

broad-based survey of the district, discussed above, building on the results of the

Thames Gateway Characterisation (carried out by Chris Blanford Associates).

Studies of the urban area to the west include the conservation area appraisal and a

Historic Towns Assessment Report (Medlycott 1998).

4.3 Evaluation Trenching and Excavation No evaluation trenches or excavations have been carried out within the study area.

Fieldwalking, followed by extensive trenching was carried out to the south, at

Westbarrow Hall Farm, where multi-period archaeological remains were located (EHER

17441-3; 17440; Dale 2001).

5 Historic Environment Record

5.1 Prehistoric (before c. AD 43) Archaeological remains of prehistoric date, including cut features and artefacts have

been recovered in the Cherry Orchard Brickfields (e.g. EHER 9553, 9713, 9746). These

have typically indicative of Neolithic and Iron Age occupation.

7



Trial trenching at Westbarrow Hall Farm identified considerable activity from the Middle

Bronze Age onwards, with the possibility of continuous settlement from prehistoric times.

(e.g. EHER 17440).

In general prehistoric remains are well attested in the Southend – Rochford area,

recovered during brickearth extraction.

5.2 Roman (c. AD 43-400) As with the prehistoric periods Roman remains have been recovered from both Cheery

Orchard Brickfiedls and Westbarrow Hall Farm. Remains at the former included a

disturbed grave or graves (EHER 9552).

At Westbarrow Hall features of a late Iron Age/Roman date and Roman were

concentrated in the north east of the area of investigation. This was interpreted as being

on the edge of a zone of Roman activity, within field systems of this date. Feature types

included boundary ditches, hearth-like structures and post-holes, indicating the presence

of timber structures (Dale 2001).

No known Roman features have been identified within the study area.

5.3 Saxon and Medieval (c. AD 400-1500) At Westbarrow Hall six small sherds of late 5th- or early 6th-century date were recovered

during the evaluation. Only two of these sherds were not residual and may indicate early

Saxon features. Medieval material was only recovered from the northern half of the site.

The main evidence of medieval activity was a group of large, related ditches located in

the north-east of the site. Inter-cutting ditches in one trench were aligned north-

west/south-east and contained a large quantity of medieval pottery dating from the 10th

to the 14th centuries AD, with the majority belonging to the latter part of this date range.

These ditches probably constituted a boundary that remained in use for some time and

required occasional reinstatement. Further medieval ditches and pits were located but

these did not form a coherent group.

8



It has been speculated that the ditch complex and the medieval findscatter identified

during fieldwalking may be associated with of medieval occupation, Partricheswyk, first

mentioned in 1273 (EHER 13416). It should however be noted that there is some

discrepancy in the postulated location of the site of medieval occupation; EHER polygon

data places it to the south of the study area, adjacent to the Westbarrow Hall works, but

the co-ordinate in the entry places it to the north of the study area, some 800m away.

The source for the entry is noted to be the ‘Southend Museum Map’ and there is no note

as to how the postulated location for the site was decided upon.

5.4 Post-medieval (c. AD 1500-1885) and Modern (AD 1885-present day) To the south of Hall Road, in the north-east corner of the study area, the EHER notes

the presence of a ‘spread’ of late medieval and later sherds and that:

‘This find spot almost coincides with a find reported by M Eddy in his original (uncut)

report for EAA on Rochford. "Mr M Astor (pers. comm.) observed a trackway running

from Rochford Hall towards Hockley, and at the west end of the track he noted a spread

of brick and tile rubble. Astor tentatively suggests that the rubble may represent a former

gatehouse destroyed before Chapman and Andre's map of 1777’ (EHER 13562).

Reference to historic Ordnance Survey mapping shows the study area to both the north

and south of the road as agricultural land, with the area immediately to the west of

Rochford Hall as orchard. The field layout is almost identical to that of the present day,

with the exception of the clearly modern development along the south of Hall Road. The

latter development had begun by the 1920s, reaching its current extents by the late

1930s-early 1940s.

5.5 Rochford Town

Many of the EHER references within a 500m buffer of the study area relate to finds,

buildings and investigations carried out in the historic town of Rochford that lies to the

east. They are not considered directly relevant to this study and as such are not

discussed in detail.

9



Rochford’s market charter and fair were granted in 1257, at which point it probably

began developing as a town. This was probably focussed around the market-place by

Horner’s Corner and the current market place on West Street, with medieval ribbon

development along South Street. The historic town plan expanded little in the post-

medieval period, although there was some infilling. Extensive ribbon development took

place in the 20th century.

6. ASSESSMENT

Archaeological Potential

This desk-based assessment has collated the readily available information on known

archaeological and historical sites within a 0.5km radius of the proposed development

site, although the assessment has not been carried out to full English Heritage/Institute

of Field Archaeology standards, the sources consulted are sufficient to assess the site’s

archaeological potential.

Although there has been no archaeological investigation within the defined study area

evidence from the immediate area, particularly at Westbarrow Hall, would suggest that it

lies within an area of archaeological potential. The remains may cover a range of dates,

elsewhere the prehistoric periods have been particularly well represented. Map

regression would indicate that the majority of the study area has been in agricultural use

and as such the disturbance of any archaeological remains present is likely to have

arisen through ploughing. However, given the survival of archaeological remains at

Westbarrow Hall, it would seem likely that remains (if present) would survive within the

study area.

The only ‘known’ site which lies within the study area is the postulated gatehouse, in the

north-west corner of the southern field.

The area around Rochford Hall should also be considered one of archaeological

potential, as the postulated location of medieval settlement.

10



The Historic Environment Characterisation Survey, prepared for the LPA by their

archaeological advisors, notes the following:

HECZ 18: Area between Stroud Green and Eastwood (incl. south of the study area)

“High potential for surviving below ground deposits in unquarried areas”

HECZ 19: South west of Hawkwell (incl. north of the study area)

“The limited archaeological knowledge probably relates to a lack of fieldwork than to a

genuine lack of early settlement”

“Potential for surviving below ground deposits and historic landscape features”

The significance of any potential below ground remains is unknown at the present time,

but it would seem most likely that such remains would be of local or perhaps regional

significance rather than of national importance.

Other Possible Constraints

There are other known constraints which apply to parts of the study area:

Scheduled Monuments/ Listed Buildings: Rochford Hall. Although outside the study

area it does lie in close proximity and development may affect its setting. As such

English Heritage should be consulted if works are proposed in this area.

Conservation Area: Part of the study area lies within the Rochford Conservation Area.

The District Council’s character appraisal notes of Hall Road that;

“It is essential to the preservation to this approach to the town, and the setting of

Rochford Hall, that further suburbanisation of the road is avoided” (RDC 2007, 24)

Green Belt: The study area lies within the green belt

Public Rights of Way / Byways: The southern part of the study area is crossed by a

public right of way and Ironwell Lane id a byway.

11



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Essex CC Field Archaeology Unit thanks Bellway Homes for commissioning the

archaeological desk-based assessment.

REFERENCES

Dale, R 2001 Westbarrow Hall Farm, Rochford, Essex.

Archaeological Evaluation ECC FAU Rep. 412 held

in EHER

ECC HEB 2009 Rochford District Historic Environment

Medlycott, M. 1998 Rochford. Historic Towns Assessment

Pevsner, N. 1965 Buildings of England; Essex Penguin

RCHME 1923 An Inventory of the Historic Monuments in Essex.

Vol. 4. Royal Commission on Historic Monuments

for England

RDC 2007 Rochford Conservation Area Appraisal and

Management Plan May 2007

Reaney, P.H. 1935 The Placenames of Essex. English Place-Name

Society Vol. XII. Cambridge Univ. Press

Rumble, A. 1983 Domesday Book. Essex. Phillimore, Chichester

12

586000 587000

19000

019100

0

0 500

m

1:10,000

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of

HMSO. Crown Copyright. Licence No. LA100019602



Fig. 1 Location

Study Area

586000 587000 588000

19000

019100

0

0 500

m

1:10,000





Fig. 2 Designated Areas

Study Area

Conservation Areas

Public Bridleways

Public Byways

Public Footpaths

Scheduled Ancient Monuments

Listed Buildings - points

4141

2645926459

2641026410

2641126411

2641326413

2641226412

587000

0 100

m

1:2,500





Fig.3 Constraints (detail)

Study Area

Conservation Areas

Public Bridleways

Public Byways

Public Footpaths

Scheduled Ancient Monuments

Listed Buildings - points

Westbarrow Hall EvaluationWestbarrow Hall Evaluation

Partricheswyke?Partricheswyke?


ROCHFORD HISTORIC TOWNROCHFORD HISTORIC TOWN

Rochford Hall and ChurchRochford Hall and Church

14870

97459746

97479744 9554

1744017441

17442 17443

95529553

95559556 9713

13579

15367

15383

13562

13591

13416

857616319

13485

1637116370

15024

19767

18501

1628217422

16376163811507415074

2075720757

2073820738

2071420714

2071020710

2070620706

585000 586000 587000 588000

19000

019100

0

0 500

m

1:15,000





Fig.4 EHER References

EHERline

EHERpoint

EHERPolys

Buffer_of_Study_Area

Study Area






585000 586000 587000 588000

19000

019100

0

0 500

m

1:15,000





Fig.5 Ordnance Survey 1st Edition 6" (1876)

Study Area






585000 586000 587000 588000

19000

019100

0

0 500

m

1:15,000





Fig.6 Ordnance Survey 4th Edition 6" (1936-47)

Study Area

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