Monument record 2853/2 - The Kings House, possible Royal Hunting Lodge

Medieval house, used as a royal hunting lodge. The lodge was probably located close to the church. Probably existed in the 11th century and in use until the mid-15th century. Known as 'The King's House'. Foundations located during grave digging. There is also some evidence of Roman activity in the area

{2,3} The site was in Hall Yard, E of the church (Area TL 0085 9703); the dam of the fishpond is still visible in an adjoining field.

The King's House at King's Cliffe was almost certainly in existence in Norman times, and certainly so in Henry II's reign. It was much enlarged by Henry III, the additions including a chapel (1239) and a park (later disparked by Lord Burghley). The site was waste about 1450; ashes found in the foundations suggest a fire, possibly the great fire of 1462. Much used as a royal hunting-lodge in the 13th c.

{4} Coins and 'other unmistakeable Roman relics' have been found in the parish, including at the churchyard. Nothing can be seen in the churchyard and although foundations of buildings have been discovered there, these are likely to be the remains of the medieval hunting lodge.

A medieval hunting lodge, probably of Norman date, certainly existed in Henry II's reign and was enlarged by Heny III. A chapel was added in the 14th century. The site was described as waste in 1450 and may have finally been destroyed by the great fire of 1462 which destroyed most of the village. It was called 'The Kings House' and had much 13th century use as a royal hunting lodge; Located close to the church and near the field called Hall Yard. Fieldname: Hall Yard;
Numerous stone foundations and considerable quantities of ash have been discovered in the churchyard and adjacent areas.

{6} The church was almost certainly present by 1086 when a priest is recorded and it seems to have been established as part of the manorial complex for immediately to the south lies Hall Close. This, rather than the Hall Yard, was according to tradition the site of the royal manor and has produced evidence of building foundations.

{7} Foundations of buildings reported in a garden of about an acre and a half adjoining the south side of the church known as Hall Close. Several pieces of architectural stonework found. Evidence that the building(s) had been burnt down. The part of the town to the east is called Hall Yard.

{10}Summary of sources.

{11} Stone walls & Romano-British coins & iron slag & cinder & ashes; possible ironworking site; found during grave digging & other excavation works.

{12}Find of Romano-British coin.

{13} The Rev PJM Bryan has in his possession a Ms History of King's Cliffe and area compiled by Archdeacon Bonney in which there is evidence of building foundations, probably the remains of the hunting lodge, being uncovered during the digging of graves and other excavations at c. TL 0070 9705.

There are no surface indications of foundations now and no further evidence for the site could be obtained. The dam and the fishpond (authy 2 refers) appear to be late Md.

{14} No change from report of 4.6.70 correct except that the dam and fishpond can no longer be traced.

{15} The dam and fishpond have been located by the RCHM and are recorded under TL 09 NW 24.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL09NW4 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> Brown R.A.; Colvin H.M.; Taylor, 1963, The History of The Kings' Works (Vol.II), p.969-970 (unchecked) (Series). SNN3801.

<3> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.579+581-82 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100369.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.59-60/Site 4 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<5> BONNEY, HISTORY OF KINGS CLIFFE, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN60837.

<6> Foard, G.; Hall, D. & Partida, T., 2009, Rockingham Forest: An atlas of the medieval and early-modern landscape, p. 236 (Book). SNN106598.

<7> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 429 (Book). SNN77326.

<8> 1879, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, p.99 (unchecked) (Series). SNN21368.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL09NW10 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<10> Brown A.E., 1970, A Gazetteer of Prehistoric and Roman Sites and Finds in The Welland Valley, Northamptonshire, 4/61 (unchecked) (Article). SNN38939.

<11> BONNEY, HISTORY OF KINGS CLIFFE, (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN48548.

<12> 1878, The Archaeological Journal (35), 269-71 (Journal). SNN287.

<13> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 04-JUN-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<14> Colquhoun, FD, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 FDC 21-JUN-76 (Notes). SNN114457.

<15> Historic England, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Lee E S, 13-Aug-1991 RCHME Recording (Oral Report). SNN111577.

Record last edited

Dec 6 2022 1:06PM