Early planned landscapes in South-East Essex

This paper examines the origins and nature of the 'planned landscapes' which cover much of southern Essex. Firstly, the need for a rigorous methodology is stressed, and the processes by which such landscapes can evolve are discussed. Secondly, a multidisciplinary use of a wide range of data allows a greater understanding of the origins and context of several areas of planned landscape; a strong case is made that they are predominantly later Saxon, contrary to the widespread belief that they date to the late Iron Age or Roman period. Finally, some of the implications of such large scale reorganisation of the landscape are considered.