Monument record 939/2/1 - Possible site of a medieval manor, The Motts

Aerial photographs show a polygonal enclosure in an area now developed by housing. This may be the site of a moated manor, possibly the Vaux manor.

{1} The site has been completely destroyed by modern housing and is now occupied by a road called The Motts. On air photos taken before destruction an elongated polygonal enclosure, 60m by 30m, orientated north-south and bounded by a dry ditch at least 10m wide is visible. The north east part of the ditch had already been partly filled in by 1946. No interior features can be recognised. Baker {2} said that the moat was the site of the house of the Vaux manor which had been long since destroyed.

{3} T.C. Welsh questions the location of the moat in Harpole. Confusion over field names "Moat Close" and "The Motts"; field name map copied from unnamed source c1900 appears to suggest that The Motts name moved location. Therefore claims RCHME placing of the manor and moat at SP688 608 is unreliable, and should be located at SP688610.

{4} NCCAP: RAF CPE/UK/1994:1259-61;3G TUD/UK/118:PT II 6114-5.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.74/Site 7 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.178 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<3> Welsh, T., 1996, Knight's Close, Harpole: Garden Remains? And Other Earthworks, (checked) (Note). SNN42300.

<4> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF CPE/UK/1994:1259-61;3G TUD/UK/118:PT II 6114-5 (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Apr 5 2022 3:59PM