Monument record 4287/5 - Faxton manor

At least two phases have been identified. A medieval moated manor was probably replaced in the Elizabethan period. The house is not shown on a map of 1746.

{1] The descent of the manor of Faxton is documented but little is known of the manor house itself. In 1320 the buildings of the ‘chief messuage’ of the manor were said to have been in ruins. In the early 18th century Bridges noted that the ‘ancient manor house’ still remained and said that it was in being in the reign of Elizabeth I. He also recorded a gateway which bore the date of 1625 and an inscription referring to three members of the Nicolls family then holding the manor. By 1746 the house had been demolished and the whole area was known as Hall Home Close.
Earthwork remains suggest at least two separate phases. The first phase was likely a moated site within which the medieval manor stood.
This area was probably the site of the post-medieval manor house and its gardens recorded by Bridges. The house was possibly built by the Nicolls family who bought the manor of Faxton in 1606 and held it until the early 18th century. On the ground are large quantities of medieval and later pottery and stone rubble.

{6} The remains of the post-medieval manor house were difficult to interpret but the hollows appear to have been cellars and the higher lines walls, together indicating a T-shaped house with garden walls and a square gatehouse facing The Green. West of the house were garden remains.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.123 site 16 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<2> Salzman L.F.(ed), 1937, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.167-171 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100371.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.92 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<4> 1746, Map of Faxton (Possible Inclosure Map), (unchecked) (Map). SNN26677.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP77NE2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Butler, L, and Gerrard, C, 2020, Faxton: Excavations in a deserted Northamptonshire village 1966–68, p. 48 (Monograph). SNN112494.

Record last edited

May 28 2021 11:21AM