Castlefacts³

Bocking Mill Hill

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

Name	Bocking Mill Hill
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Essex
Modern Authority	Essex
1974 Authority	Essex
Civil Parish	Braintree

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. (Unlocking Essex's Past)

Gatehouse Comments

Isolated from settlement. There are a number of small pools in the area suggesting the soil is clay. The 'ditch' may just represent the diggings made to get the soil for the mound and drainage to keep the southern access dry. Highly unlikely as a motte.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

378739

County Historic Environment Record

unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=68&previous_page_id=48&monument_id=21047

OS Map Grid Reference	TL764278
Latitude	51.9211006164551
Longitude	0.56411999464035
Eastings	576430
Northings	227830