Monument record 4790/1 - Possible Medieval Manor &/Or Watermill (Waterhall)

Medieval moated site with associated ponds, and probably site of Medieval manor with fishponds. Also site of a C19 watermill. Earthworks of a moat and fish ponds in Easton Neston Park, possibly representing a medieval manor house. The earthworks comprise a trapezoidal island surrounded by a ditch 1.5 metre deep. Rectangular ponds lie around the moat which are enclosed within a further rectangular ditch. All may have been landscaped during the post Medieval period. Also present is a dam and foundations of a mill which was extant during the 19th century.extant in the 19th century. The moat and fishponds may have been landscaped in post medieval times.

{1} Earthworks of the possible medieval/post-medieval moated site of a manor house. (By the C17th a manor house certainly stood adjacent to Easton Neston church.) A trapezoidal island is surrounded by a 1.5m deep ditch. The island is featureless and overgrown. To the south-west are three rectangular fishponds. The ponds and the moat are stuated within a rectangular ditched enclosure. Two leats from the river supply water to the ditches and ponds. The appearance of the earthworks suggests post-medieval alteration as a part of the landscape park of Easton Neston (Mon 4770). The dam and foundations of a mill still survive. The mill was extant in the 19th century. The moat and fishponds may have been landscaped in post medieval times.

{2}{3}{4} By the C19th the moat was unoccupied. Fieldname: Waterhall.

{8} (SP 70354875) Fish Ponds (LB)

{9} In 1499 a licence was obtained to embattle the manor house at Easton Neston. This house stood between the church and the river Tove. (Nothing visible on AP's - trees)

{10} A moated manor site, with fish ponds and associated waterworks, in good condition. Now mainly dry but some parts holding seasonal water. There are no traces of a building on the moat island.
See 25" survey.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.45/Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> 1806, Estate Map (NRO Map 2923), (unchecked) (Map). SNN59501.

<3> 1844, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN17982.

<4> 1849, Easton Neston (With Hulcote) Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN17813.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.45/Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<5> Taylor P., 1992, Fishponds Report 1992, (checked) (Report). SNN1339.

<6> Beresford C., 1993, Easton Neston, Northamptonshire: Historical Assessment of the Park, (part checked) (Full Report). SNN59608.

<7> Beresford C., 1992, SMR Report form, (part checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN107415.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1955, 1950s/60s Ordnance Survey 6 Inch Mapping Series (SP44NE), 1958 (Map). SNN61128.

<9> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, P.211 (Book). SNN77328.

<10> Baird, J, 1971, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 JB 03-FEB-1971 (Notes). SNN116433.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:27PM