A HISTORY OF ESSEX was destroyed during its possession by Richard de Montfitchet in 1215, and that it never was rebuilt ; its walls of masonry proving a quarry for building operations throughout the neighbourhood. Just a few feet of stone walling remain on the keep at H on plan, but foundations of other portions may exist, long hidden beneath the turf. Some antiquaries have thought that an older mound fort existed previously, but from some points in the castrametation we incline to think this one of the latest mound and court forts in Essex. Here, as at Rayleigh, advantage was taken of a naturally strong position, though here the spur of hill is in a little valley in place of being a bold promontory overlooking an open country. The existing earthworks show a strongly situated keep, defended in part by the steepness of the slope and in part by a deep fosse (the eastern side of this fosse separating the keep from the slightly higher bailey) and the bailey or base court with high rampart and remains of N t 100 -fi'STEBBING MOUNT ESSEX. fosse. Unfortunately the bailey rampart and fosse has been destroyed all along its southern side, where no doubt gravel has been excavated. Ancient houses occupy part of the fosse on the west of the keep, and a road has destroyed its extension on the north of the bailey. It is hoped that no further mutilation of this interesting little castle will be allowed. STEBBING MOUND. The mound is raised artificially some 38 feet above its surrounding moat, which is well filled with water from a spring. The manor of Stebbing Hall was held by the Ferrers and Peverells at the great survey, when probably the main building was on the summit of the mound, which is flat, with a surface area of 60 feet by 25 feet. Whether thrown up by one of these Norman holders, by Siward who owned the land in Edward the Confessor's time or by earlier occu- pants, we cannot say. The History of Essex, by a Gentleman (1769), says: ' Here are two 302
