Reasons for Designation
Ringworks are medieval fortifications built and occupied from the late
Anglo-Saxon period to the later 12th century. They comprised a small defended
area containing buildings which was surrounded or partly surrounded by a
substantial ditch and a bank surmounted by a timber palisade or, rarely, a
stone wall. Occasionally a more lightly defended embanked enclosure, the
bailey, adjoined the ringwork. Ringworks acted as strongholds for military
operations and in some cases as defended aristocratic or manorial settlements.
They are rare nationally with only 200 recorded examples and less than 60
with baileys. As such, and as one of a limited number and very restricted
range of Anglo-Saxon and Norman fortifications, ringworks are of particular
significance to our understanding of the period.
Details
The monument comprises a ringwork known as The Crump and is situated on an
east-facing slope overlooking the River Stort. The monument includes a
raised area of ground which measures 32m in diameter at the base and stands
c.3m high. The top of the raised area is saucer-shaped and is 10m in diameter
and c.1m deep. This may be due to partial excavation or possibly subsidence
of this area. Surrounding the raised area is a moat which has a maximum width
of 12m and is about 1.5m deep. The western half of the moat remains
waterfilled, while the eastern half has become silted up over the years.
In 1958 the owner excavated a small trench in the interior of the mound. A
clay floor and a packed post hole were found along with some 12th century
pottery and metal fragments.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20665
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
