Two substantial ditches on the western side of Site A were interpreted as part of a fort constructed in the Civil War of 1648. Finds in the ditches and the discovery of lead musket balls confirm this supposition. There is no fort in this position on the Colchester Siege Map, but it may be a forward position established to the north of Fort Needham; its ground-plan, resembled an indented rectangle (or four-pronged star). The site remained unused after the Civil War until the building of the garrison.<1>

The two complete sections across the ditch (ie, AF143 and AF155) are respectively 3.7m and 3.6m wide respectively, and 1.1m and 1.3m deep. The potsherds from the ditch sections are generally of post-medieval date, but dating from the clay-pipes is precise - the fourteen clay-pipe bowl fragments are of types dated 1610-1640 (9 examples), and 1640-1660 (5 examples). Other finds are instructive – 98 nails or tacks, perhaps from the nailed wooden elements of fence on the bank, and the pieces of lead which were probably to be melted down for shot (one of which was found in the ditch). Some of the lead from a window framework (a ‘came’), and the pieces of window glass may hint at a building nearby being ransacked or even demolished in the military emergency. There was also 2.5kg of residual Roman brick and tile, and a coin of Edward III (1351-61).