Spellbrook Lock from a 1874 Ordnance Survey Map.
The name comes from the small brook that meanders alongside the Stort here. It is fed by a weir just before the lock and joins the river just after. A bridge has existed here probably since the Iron Ages, as just to the left of Spellbrook Lock (approaching in a southward direction) up the large wooded banks is the remains of Wallbury Camp.
Iron Age Hill Fort
Example of an Iron Age Hill Fort
Wallbury camp was a fine example of an Iron Age hill fort. Built around 400 BC it was one of thirty or more forts constructed between Dorset and Essex to defend tribal territories. Between 300 and 200 BC Wallbury fort was modified to include double banks that enclosed an area of around 31 acres.
England was invaded in the first century BC, this time by the Belgae – a Celtic people from Belgium and France whose battle tactics included large scale use of horses and chariots. The largest and most aggressive Belgic kingdom was that of Catuvellauni originally centred on modern Hertfordshire, but they also settled in the Stort valley, rebuilding Wallbury fort to a high standard for defence purposes. But any ideas they may have had about further expansion to the east and west was briefly curtailed by Julius Caeser’s punitive expedition to these shores in 54 BC. The principal British King, Cassivellaunus, is supposed to have bowed to Rome at the kingdom’s capital, Wheathampstead, but there is a suggestion that the site of his capitulation could well have been at Wallbury, which, being one third the size of Wheathampstead would have been much easier to defend.
The Belgae had cleared the valley forests to plant corn, the surplus of which, ironically, was often traded with Roman Gaul. But a full-scale invasion by the Romans in 43 AD saw the Belgae defeated once again and their towns at St Albans and Colchester taken. Both became legion headquarters and a road, based on an old Belgic track, was built between the two. This was the road along which the Romans entered the Stort Valley and which today we call Stane Street (A120). Its former route crossed present day Bishop’s Stortford in a straight line from the Dunmow Road to Braughing, the area around Cannons Close becoming an Imperial posting station where legionnaires marching between St Albans and Colchester could rest.
A small Romano-British settlement eventually grew up around the post but, so far as we know, was never given a name. When the Romans left Britain early in the 5th century to defend Rome against barbarian tribes, this area had already been a settlement for over a thousand years.
But it was the invading Saxons arriving here in 449 AD, who established a settlement in the area we now call Bishop’s Stortford. They no doubt entered the Stort valley via the Roman road, but ignored the existing Roman settlement and chose instead to settle high above the flood plain in the area that is now North Street. They built the first church of timber and thatch and possibly created the first fortification that would later become Waytemore Castle’s foundation.
There is also folklore to the effect that Queen Boadicca lies buried under an ancient cork tree just inside the west bank of the camp, can you find a cork tree? Probably wouldn't still be there in Hertfordshire's current climate? There are also, many legends as to where the famous Celtic queen is buried! Under a McDonald's in Birmingham is another popular theory!
Nevertheless, the Wallbury site is indeed a site of national importance, archaeological digs in 1959 discovered Iron Age pottery as well as many Roman artefacts. The area is however now part of the Dells Estate (private residence), so permission should be sought before attacking the ramparts!
The Lock
Proud lock-keeper Charles Welsh, 1962
Situated just before the bridge, the originally turf-sided lock was built in 1769 and upgraded to brick and concrete in 1921. The bridge in 1844 was reported as being constructed of "5 oaks", but has also been replaced by the present brick and concrete version.
Being of a fairly dilapidated state in its early life, the lock was eventually taken over by lock-keeper Charles Welsh. A man who obviously took pride in his work from 1954 to 1962, as the lock won the "Best Kept Lock" competition in 1960 and several times after. His cottage used to sit just to the right of the lock but was demolished soon after he left.