Monument record 4206/1 - Thorpe Lubenham Manor

Site of a medieval and later manor house with associated moat. A house, possibly of 16th or 17th century origin, stood on the island until the late 18th century.

{1} A house stood on the island until the later C18th. Engraving of the manor house in 1795 shows a building, T-shaped in plan and of timber-framed construction. Possibly of C16th or C17th date. Outbuildings are also shown to the east and west.

{3} The manor house was demolished in the C18th.

{4} A moated site 85m square encloses a series of earthwork depressions and platforms which mark the site of the manor house. First documented Domesday; tax records throughout C14th; by 1547 the focus of the village shifted to the north, although the manor remained occupied.

{5} Earthworks of a former medieval/post medieval manor house. Excavation in 1955/6 of depressions in the north-west corner of the island revealed only late medieval brick, tile, pottery sherds and glass. RCHM Inventory suggests that the manor house SP 70508682 was probably the single household that paid the Hearth Tax in the parish
in 1674. [RCHM plan].

{6} "R.B. brick and glass on island".

{7} Minor excavations were carried out, in 1955-6, on the island and fragments of late Md. Brick, tile glass and pottery were found. The classification 'R.B.' is an error.

{8} Little is known of this moated manor house. It was presumably demolished some time in the 18th c., when the present Hall was built.

{9} A homestead moat formed by a deep, wide ditch water-filled on all but the south side. The interior is c. 60.0 m. square and covered by trees and undergrowth. There is a slight bank along the south side of the enclosed area which is generally level. In the north west corner are a number of small pits, of the 1955-6 excavations, with an attendant scatter of thin brick, fragments of tile and 18th c. brown-ware potsherds. No other evidence of a
building was seen. Surveyed 1.3.60.

{10} No change.

{13} The manor house was largely timber-framed.

<1> Nichols J., 1798, The History and Antiquities of The County of Leicester (v.2 pt.2 The Hundred of Gartree), p.701+710 (unchecked) (Series). SNN59592.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP78NW48 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> English Heritage, 1992, English Heritage Scheduling Notification, (part checked) (Report). SNN47128.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.141 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<6> Annotated Record Map, Corr. 6" (G. R. LEE, 1956-9) (Map). SNN112961.

<7> PRO series E179, PRO E179/254/14 (Document). SNN115882.

<7> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Oral: MR. G. R. LEE, Hon. Corr., Market Harborough (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<8> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Oral: Lt. Col. H. A. Phillips Owner: Thorpe Lubenham Hall. (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<9> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WCW 01-MAR-1960 (Note). SNN113151.

<10> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F2 BHS 05-AUG-1969 (Notes). SNN111907.

<11> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1986, DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Northamptonshire (Parts 5-8) (Schedule). SNN104787.

<12> Historic England, THORPE LUBENHAM HALL MANOR HOUSE, MARSTON TRUSSELL, OS59/F399/6 (Archive). SNN115478.

<13> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 611 (Book). SNN111989.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:26PM