SPAINS HALL FINCHINGFIELD for Mr J Oliver Stuart Stokes BA Archaeological Watching Brief SPAINS HALL FINCHINGFIELD

Archaeological Watching Brief SPAINS HALL FINCHINGFIELD For Mr J Oliver Stuart Stokes BA Archaeological Watching Brief SPAINS HALL FINCHINGFIELD

Client: Mr J Oliver

Local Authority: Braintree District Council

NGR: 667869, 234010

Planning App: 19/02115/HH & 19/02191/LBC

Author: S.Stokes

Doc Ref: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3

Site Code: ECC4531

Date: April 21

A trading name of L – P : Heritage LLP.

Table of Figures

Table of Plates

Table of Appendices

Table of Tables

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Site Background

3. Aims

4. Methodology

5. Results

6. Analysis & Conclusion

7. Archive

Sources Consulted

Figures

Appendices

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1 - Site Location

Figure 2 - Site Detail TABLE OF PLATES Plate 1 - Excavated area showing revealed layer (1001)

Plate 2 - Brick culverts. Looking northeast. 2 x 1m scales. TABLE OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 - OASIS Form

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 Abstract Archaeological monitoring in the form of a watching brief was undertaken in November 2020 on the Grade II* grounds of Grade I (NHLE 1138980) listed, 16th century Spains Hall, near the village of Finchingfield, Essex. The fieldwork was implemented as a request by Braintree District Council to accompany permitted development. The watching brief and report were completed by Stuart Stokes of L – P : Archaeology on behalf of the client Mr J Oliver.

The objectives of the watching brief were to monitor all intrusive groundworks to allow for any archaeological deposits encountered to be highlighted, investigated and recorded. The site is located in grounds of Grade I listed (NHLE 1138980) Spains Hall, built c1570. The house is situated within Grade II* (NHLE 1000240) listed park and garden, the parkland landscaped to a plan by renowned landscape architect Humphrey Repton c1807. These plans remade a series of 17th Century fishponds into ornamental water features. Surrounding the house is the two-hectare garden, this is a more formal affair, with an early16th century walled garden and a 19th Century formal garden. The current house is situated on the plot of an original 11th Century, moated manor house. Remnants of the moat earthworks are still situated surrounding the North East facing facade of the house.

The works monitored was a topsoil strip for the purpose of laying a new terrace patio situated in the rear garden, against the south east facing facade of the18th century wing of the house. Remains of two, now redundant, red brick culverts were identified. However due to minimal material removed principally topsoil and the upper strata of a construction rubble deposit, no other archaeological features were identified.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 1. Introduction

1.1.This watching brief report has been prepared by Stuart Stokes of L - P : Archaeology on behalf of Mr J Oliver. This document details the results of the archaeological works that were completed on site.

1.2.The fieldwork was undertaken by Stuart Stokes of L – P : Archaeology over two day visits on the 11th and the 12th of November 2020. The survey digitised and drawn by Rebecca Oksman-Sword of L – P: Archaeology.

1.3.The site is located within the Grade II* garden at the rear of Grade I listed 16 th century Spains Hall, Spains Hall Road, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex, CM7 4NJ. The National Grid Reference (NGR) given for the site is 667869, 234010.

1.4.The work was carried out in accordance with the Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) prepared by John Duffy of L – P : Archaeology (2020).

1.5.The archive will be deposited in Braintree District Museum.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 2. Site Background

2.1.PLANNING

2.1.1 The proposed development includes new main and secondary access gates, fencing, terrace and other minor works (19/02115/HH).

2.1.2 The works specific to this archaeological watching brief, refers to the minor works (19/02115/HH). An area roughly 30m by 10m, to be topsoil stripped for the laying of a stone patio terrace, in the rear garden, against the south east facing facade of the 18th century wing.

2.1.3 The works were identified as having a potential effect on below ground archaeological remains should they be present, and as a result Braintree District Council requested a programme of archaeological monitoring during all groundworks associated with the development of Spains Hall.

2.2.GEOLOGY

2.2.1 The geology of the site was formed after the most recent ice age, it is characterised by thick deposits of boulder clays, made fertile by Essex Till chalks (BGS 2020).

2.3.TOPOGRAPHY AND SITE CONDITIONS

2.3.1 Spains Hall is located near the village of Finchingfield, within the district of Braintree in northwest Essex (FIGURE 1).

2.3.2 The house is situated within the 7 hectares Grade II* listed park and garden grounds. Landscaped by 19th century landscape architect Humphrey Repton c1807. Repton remade seven 17th century fish ponds into ornamental water features. The house was originally moated, remains of the moat are situated at the north east of the building. Immediately surrounding the house is the garden, also cited in the Grade II* listing. The garden includes a 16 th century walled garden and a mid-19th century formal garden.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 2.4.ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2.4.1 There has been a settlement in Finchingfield since at least the Romans. There is archaeological evidence to suggest there is a villa site located 400m south- south west of the village church. Finchingfield is attested in the Domesday Book 1086, where it appears as Fincingefelda, meaning ‘the field of Finc’. The village became an important coach and tavern stop, between Norwich and London.

2.4.2 The hall is mentioned in the Domesday Book 1086, associated with its then landlord and namesake Hervey de Ispania. It is likely the original house was a moated manor house, a popular manorial property design in the area. Evidence of its original moat remains at the northeast of the house.

2.4.3 Since 1086 the property has been continually occupied by three families, the de Ispania’s, the Kempe family who acquired the property when Margery de Ispania married Nicholas Kempe in the early 15th century, and the Ruggles/Ruggles-Brise family in the 18th century.

2.4.4 It was under the Kempe families stewardship that the current house replaced the original Medieval structure in c1570. Elements of the Medieval structure still remain including the King post roof. The principle northeast facing facade was remodelled in 1585 by William Kempe, and the Dutch gables were added in 1637 by Robert Kempe.

2.4.5 The Ruggles/Ruggles-Brise family were responsible for the re-landscaping of the parkland, commissioning renowned landscape architect Humphrey Repton. The also constructed a dovecote, stables and a coachhouse.

2.4.6 The house was Grade I listed in 1953, including a summary: “Great House. Circa 1570, with C17, C18 and C19 additions, incorporating a fragment of an earlier house, c.1400-50. Red brick, mainly English Bond, some Flemish bond, with some plastered timber framing, roofed with handmade red clay tiles”.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 3. Aims

3.1. The aims of the archaeological watching brief were to monitor the intrusive works associated with the proposed development of Spains Hall, and to investigate any archaeological remains that were present.

3.2. The general aims of the works were to:

 To determine the presence or absence of archaeological deposits or remains within the proposed restoration area, and any intrusive works associated with this;

 To sufficiently assess and record the character, date, extent and location of any archaeological remains on the site within the areas identified as being impacted upon by the works;

 To determine the significance and state of preservation of any archaeological remains present;

 To evaluate any impact of past land uses such as ploughing or agricultural practices, and their disturbance to archaeological deposits;

 To define any research priorities that may be relevant should further field investigation be required;

 Disseminate the results of the fieldwork through an appropriate level of recording;

 To collect enough information to allow a suitable mitigation strategy to be devised, if required. Any such strategy could consist of further fieldwork followed by a programme of post excavation analysis, reporting and possible publication.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 4. Methodology

4.1.For a full description of the archaeological methodology and a detailed itinerary of how the works were undertaken on site, please refer to section 4 of the Written Scheme of Investigation (DUFFY 2020).

4.2.The archaeological watching brief monitored all intrusive groundworks conducted at Spains Hall, during the works. These comprised machine excavation of topsoil and part removal of another deposit.

4.3.Topsoil were first removed by a 9tn 360 degree tracked mechanical excavator with a toothless ditching bucket, of the proposed 20m x10m area for the patio terrace.

4.4.The lower extents of topsoil deposits and the upper strata of a construction layer were removed to expose the only lower strata of the construction layer.

4.5.All works were carried out in accordance with the Code of Conduct (CIFA 2019) and Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief (CIFA 2020) as set out by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), and the Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England (GURNEY 2003).

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 5. Results

5.1.Works involved the machine removal of topsoil (1000) measuring 0.32m in depth which exposed a made layer of sand and demolition material (1001). Only the upper horizon of (1001) 0.13m was removed during works, exposing only continuation of the same material (PLATE 1).

5.2.Two redundant brick lined drain culverts possibly 16th Century were revealed, both lined up with current existing roof drainage pipes. Both culverts are replaced by modern subterranean drainage (PLATE 2).

Plate 1 - Excavated area showing revealed layer (1001)

Plate 2 - Brick culverts. Looking northeast. 2 x 1m scales.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 6. Analysis & Conclusion

6.1.Archaeological investigation in the form of a watching brief took place at Spains Hall, Finchingfield, Essex in the rear garden. The watching brief observed the stripping of topsoil in an area being prepared for the laying of a terrace patio.

6.2.The house is Grade I listed and the garden and park Grade II* listed. The specific works concerned affect the garden immediately adjacent to the hall.

6.3.Due to only the topsoil and an upper horizon of a made construction layer being excavated, the only features to have been revealed were two redundant brick culverts associated with the hall. These may represent the drainage system established by Nicolas Kempe during the construction phase in c1570. No archaeological deposits were identified and no finds were recovered during the works.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 7. Archive

7.1.The archive consists of:

 5 x Context Sheets  30 x Digital Photographs (JPEG and RAW)  1 x Register

7.2.The archive is to be deposited with Braintree District Museum.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 SOURCES CONSULTED

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 BIBLIOGRAPHIC

CIFA 2019. CODE OF CONDUCT.

CIFA 2020. STANDARD AND GUIDANCE FOR AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF.

DUFFY, J. 2020. ‘Written Scheme of Investigation, Spains Hall, Finchingfield’.

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 FIGURES

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 FIGURE 1 // Site Location - General

THE SITE

PROJECT // 3491E - Spains Hall, Finchingﬁeld

DESCRIPTION // Site Location

DOC REF: LP3491E-WBR-v1

OASIS FORM APPENDIX 1

DOC REF: LP3491E-AWB-v1.3 OASIS FORM - Print view https://oasis.ac.uk/form/print.cfm

OASIS DATA COLLECTION FORM: England

Printable version

OASIS ID: lparchae1-418597

Project details Project name Sapins Hall Watching Brief Short description of the An archaeological watching brief was undertaken on an area of the garden project adjacent to the hall building. Project dates Start: 04-11-2020 End: 05-11-2020 Previous/future work No / Yes Any associated project ECC4531 - HER event no. reference codes Type of project Recording project Site status None Current Land use Other 5 - Garden Monument type CULVERT Post Medieval Significant Finds NONE None Investigation type ''Watching Brief'' Prompt National Planning Policy Framework - NPPF

Project location Country England Site location ESSEX BRAINTREE FINCHINGFIELD Spains Hall Postcode CM7 4NJ Study area 600 Square metres Site coordinates TL 67775 34075 51.979298643337 0.443188752057 51 58 45 N 000 26 35 E Point Height OD / Depth Min: 89m Max: 90m

Project creators Name of Organisation L - P : Archaeology Project brief originator Place Services Project design originator L - P : Archaeology

1 of 2 05/04/2021, 11:37 OASIS FORM - Print view https://oasis.ac.uk/form/print.cfm

Project director/manager John Duffy Project supervisor Stu Stokes Type of sponsor/funding Developer body Name of sponsor/funding Mr J Oliver body

Project archives Physical Archive Exists? No Digital Archive recipient Braintree Museum Digital Archive ID ECC4531 Digital Contents ''none'' Digital Media available ''Images raster / digital photography'',''Survey'',''Text'' Paper Archive recipient Braintree Museum Paper Archive ID ECC4531 Paper Media available ''Context sheet'',''Photograph'',''Plan'',''Report'',''Section'',''Survey ''

Project bibliography 1 Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Publication type Title Archaeological Watching Brief at Spains Hall, Finchingfield Author(s)/Editor(s) Stokes, S. Other bibliographic details LP3491E-AWB-v1.2 Date 2021 Issuer or publisher L - P : Archaeology Place of issue or publication Bishop's Stortford Description A4 Spiral bound

Entered by John Duffy ([email protected]) Entered on 5 April 2021

OASIS:

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