A HISTORY OF ESSEX 



of the bank, and correspondingly lessened in the depth of the fosse, 

 while in some parts the rampart has been levelled. 



Its complete circuit was doubtlessly much longer, but about 1,100 

 yards remain. Though numerous finds of early pottery and some bronze 

 implements have been made within the area enclosed by the outer 



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Chufth. 



entrenchment there is no positive evidence as to its date. Mr. J. 

 Horace Round has shown that the parish takes its name from the old 

 French word Plaisseis or P/aisseiz, signifying an enclosure. 1 This it 

 would seem cannot but refer to the rampart and ditch surrounding the 

 village. From it's general appearance it seems probable that the work 

 was one of British origin. 2 



The great castle mound, with its appendant court on the south, is 



1 Essex Arch. Trans, n.s. v. 83-6. 



2 The Rev. E. A. Downman, who possesses probably an unequalled acquaintance with the earth- 

 works of England, is inclined to think the outer works of the same date as the castle mound and court. 



298 



