Monument record 3907/2/1 - Medieval/Post Medieval Moat, Weekley

Probable site of the moated medieval/post medieval manor of Weekley. Probably occupied as early as the 13th century. Limited trial excavation has identified a perimeter wall and possible corner turret as depicted on a late 18th century map, but no associated buildings. The site is now occupied by a 19th century house.

{1} Earthwork of a roughly L-shaped island surrounded by a trapezoidal ditch which widens considerably at the south-east corner. On the west side the ditch has been largely filled in, and on the south side it is now part of a modern garden. Elsewhere it remains about 1m deep with a very wide spread outer bank on the south, east and north sides, which presumably retained the water. There are no indications of any original ent4rances or causeways. The interior slopes considerably from north-west to south-east and is occupied by an C18th house and garden.
On a map of c.1730-50 the ditch is shown complete and water-filled with the island the same shape as it is now, and the present house already there. A bridge is shown crossing the ditch at the south end of the western side, and on the north side of the island is written 'where the old Hall stood'. Also marked on the map, in an earlier hand, are some imaginative representations of buildings in the interior. Fieldwalking recovered medieval pot sherds, a green glazed ridge tile, a medieval coin, and identified building rubble. Plan.

{2} A circa C18 Broughton Park Estate map (said to have been drawn by the Second Duke of Montagu) shows the moat and a complete range of buildings around the courtyard.

{4} Documentary reference. A small distance from Weekley are the vestiges of an old house surrounded by a moat said to be the manor house.

{7} A circa C18 Broughton Park Estate map (said to have been drawn by the Second Duke of Montagu) shows the moat and a complete range of buildings around the courtyard.

{9} Trial excavation was carried out in October 1992 by D.Jackson. A narrow wall foundation was revealed and a single post impression. Also a probable floor level of mortar and rubble, as well as a few limestone slabs. Other stone may have originated as postpads. A possible yard surface was also identified. Dates ranged from C13th-16th. The wall was aligned along the inner edge of the moat and included the remnants of a bastion or turret at the north-east corner. This may represent the outer wall of the range of buildings shown on a map of 1730-50. Now mostly robbed out. Earthworks were also recorded during fieldwork.
The 1730-50 plan shows a building in the interior, but this is possibly a romantic representation. Maps in the estate office at Weekley dated to 1808 and 1810 show buildings, but not those on the earlier plan.

{4} Documentary reference. A small distance from Weekley are the vestiges of an old house surrounded by a moat said to be the manor house.

{6} At the southern extremity of the village of Weekley are traces of a moat etc, where an old castellated manor house is supposed to have formerly stood.

{7} A circa C18 Broughton Park Estate map (said to have been drawn by the Second Duke of Montagu) shows the moat and a complete range of buildings around the courtyard.

{11} Mr Sinnett, present occupant of the C19th house at this site, has in his possession a plan dated 1730-50 which illustrates the moat completely surrounding the building. A copy of this plan is in Northampton Records Office. Published survey 1:2500 correct.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.153 Site 5 & Fig 135 (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Second Duke of Montagu, 1750 (circa), Boughton Park Estate, (unchecked) (Map). SNN105258.

<3> Northamptonshire Archaeology, 7/52 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN58362.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.34+344 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP88SE9 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Evans J.; Britton J., 1810, The Beauties of England and Wales (Northamptonshire), p.199-200 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1351.

<7> Second Duke of Montagu, 1750 (circa), Boughton Park Estate, (unchecked) (Map). SNN105258.

<8> NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGY, 1992, Earthwork Survey of The Moat at Weekley, (unchecked) (Supplement). SNN108079.

<9> Jackson, D, 1992, An archaeological evaluation at Hall Yard, Weekley, 1992, (checked) (Report). SNN42705.

<10> Jackson, D, 1992, Hall Yard, Weekley; Planning Application KW92/0504; Archaeological watching brief (Report). SNN113438.

<11> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 22-JUL-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

<12> Historic England, General reference for Historic England Archive, BB74/04725: From East (Archive). SNN115142.

Record last edited

Nov 19 2024 2:26PM