Motte & Bailey Traditional Cache
molrams: Visited last weekend. The log is still there but the cache is missing so I am archiving this one. Its lasted 18 years which is a good run.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cache is located on the Essex Way between Pleshey and High
Easter. This being Essex the terrain is flat with the driest
approach likely to be from the High Easter end. If you park near to
the castle in Pleshey (N51 48.241 E0 24.741 ) it about 1 ½ miles to
the cache.
Pleshey castle is an 11th century motte and bailey castle with
extensive outer walls surrounding the town. It was built by
Geoffrey de Mandeville who in 1149 was created Earl of Essex.
In the late 14th century it was a residence of Thomas of Woodstock,
Duke of Gloucester and in 1397 the scene of his arrest. Thomas was
named after the manor of Woodstock, the place of his birth in 1355.
In 1377, to mark the coronation of his nephew, Richard II, he was
created Earl of Buckingham. Thomas served in the army and held a
number of overseas posts. In 1377 he was created Earl of Buckingham
and in 1385 Duke of Gloucester.
He led a party which opposed the rule of Richard II. In 1397 he was
arrested at Pleshey Castle and subsequently murdered by suffocation
while in his bed at Calais. Initially he was buried at Pleshey, but
the body was later moved to Westminster Abbey. In 1499 John de
Holland, Duke of Exeter was executed in the castle.
The buildings subsequently fell into decay. In 1600 the site was
used as a quarry and much of the stone removed. Now it mainly
consists of earthworks encircled by a moat. It is privately owned
so is open by appointment only though it does have the occasional
council sponsored open day.
Pleshey has two pubs and High Easter a tea shop and post office.
The cache is a clear 2.5 litre lockable food container.
Original contents include:
Lego Model
Mains Car Adaptor
GB Keyring
Mini Stapler
Non Sharpen Pencil
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybt guvf pnpur gb gur Abegu bs gur genpx