A HISTORY OF ESSEX Morant speaks (1768) of castle walls 'not long since in being.' No masonry remains above ground to tell the story, nor, so far as we know, have excavations brought anything to light. Mention must be made of the great banks adjoining on the north. The plan shows the Stort, here but a small stream, flowing between deep precipitous banks, and forming a bend on the north-east, with a high and wide embankment on its southern side ; below this bank is a low hollow area, about 70 feet wide, ending southward against the bifurcated rampart immediately north of the castle moat. 1 100' C L AVERING. ESSEX. A careful examination of the extension of the banks up the valley westward enables us to understand their purpose. It is evident that the waters of the Stort flowed in part through the hollow area ; the great banks keeping the water back formed a reservoir, probably for use in part to work a mill which may have stood at G where the banks divide. But evidence is visible of further use for this reserve of water at E on plan there is an inlet through the banks, high enough to flood the whole moat surrounding the castle. The bifurcation of the rampart close by the inlet E was no doubt furnished with sluices, which allowed the water to be carried away out- 1 The Rev. E . A. Downman is of opinion that these works have no connection with the castle enclosure, but whenever made they involved an immense amount of labour, and we incline to consider them part and parcel of the whole. 292
