The Little Park at Castle Hedingham, Essex: A possible late medieval pleasure ground

Field survey has revealed the presence of hitherto unrecorded earthworks at Little Lodge Farm at Castle Hedingham, Essex. Subsequent investigation suggests that the principal remains are those of a late medieval or early Tudor garden originally set within an ornamental 'little park'. Although a precise date cannot be assigned with any confidence, the earthworks probably represent the activities of John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford (1442-1513), at the end of the fifteenth century. Such a date is of interest lying as it does in the important period of crossover between 'medieval' and 'Renaissance' gardens. The landscape of Castle Hedingham demonstrates how the idea of the little park with gardens remained vibrant at the end of the Middle Ages and acceptable for one of England's greatest courtly families.