Reasons for Designation
Gardens have been a feature of important houses since at least Roman times, if
not earlier, but in the 16th century gardens became larger and more formal.
Recurring features were terraces, ponds and canals, and in the design of these
there was a continuous interplay between social aspirations, artistic aims
and changing fashions. The earthwork remains of such gardens are important
archaeological features illustrating their recreational and ornamental
function and of course, the scale of investment in time and money.
Despite some limited disturbance caused by recent drainage works, dumping and
agricultural activities, the pleasaunce 30m south east of Court Lodge survives
well and is known from partial excavation to contain archaeological remains
and environmental evidence relating to the monument and the landscape in which
it was constructed. It represents an integral part of a rare, early example
of a particularly grand garden, incorporating one or more buildings, and
forming a carefully contrived and impressive setting from which Bodiam Castle
could be displayed to important visitors.
Details
The monument includes the earthwork remains of a medieval pleasaunce, or
ornamental garden and viewing platform, situated on a ridge 250m north of
Bodiam Castle. The pleasaunce formed an elaboration of the planned, landscaped
setting of the castle, the other surviving remains of which include ornamental
ponds and terraces grouped around the castle moat. These further remains are
included in a separate scheduling which includes Bodiam Castle.
The pleasaunce is a substantial, south west-north east aligned, rectangular
earthwork platform measuring 66m by 15m and rising to a height of 1.6m on its
southern, downslope side. To the north, the ground rises to form a further
terrace, which, despite some modern disturbance, contains at its western end a
raised, rectangular bank measuring 21m by 15m and surviving to a height of
0.2m. This is the site of a building or small enclosure. The eastern edge of
the platform has become accentuated by subsequent excavation, whilst the
western side is bounded by two, north-south aligned, linear hollows. To the
north, the modern grounds of Court Lodge and traces of post-medieval field
boundaries overlie and partially obscure the medieval remains.
A small scale excavation at the western end of the large platform in 1961
revealed traces of medieval structures. The monument was the subject of a
detailed survey in 1988.
The modern fences surrounding and crossing the monument are excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.
MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
