Monument record 4039/1/2 - Lodge Moat, The Launde Lodge

The moat was complete in 1580, now just the south and east sides survive. The site and its surrounding land known as The Lawn were apparently considered to be a detached part of the parish of Benefield in the Medieval period.

{2} Documentary and earthwork evidence for moat. The moat was complete on a map of 1580, and contained within a paled or fenced enclosure of c.130ha. The moat once consisted of an almost square island, 45m x 40m, surrounded by a wide, wet ditch. On the north side the ditch has now been filled in and no trace remains. The west ditch is visible only as a slight depression. The south and east ditches survive intact (10m wide x1.5m deep) and are still water-filled. There is a large external bank or dam on the south side.

{7} Bridges refers to 'the launde of Benefield' and quotes a similar reference by Leland {3}.

{8} The northern arm of the moat has been filled-in recently and no trace of it remains. The east and south sides remain water-filled though the south-east corner has been altered. The course of the western side is visible as a depression in the lawn. Surveyed 08-JUN-1960.

{10} The moat has been almost completely filled and there are no surveyable remains. Published survey (25" 1969) revised.

{6} SP 8628 8806: Beanfield Lawn [G.T.] partly surrounded by a moat [G.T.] (a) was for some purposes considered part of the parish of Benefield though it was extra-paraochial in 1831 and was perhaps part of the King's fee mentioned in the 11th/12th century. Henry II granted the pasturage and herbage to the Abbey of Pipewell and the Abbot exchanged them for an advowson in 1356. There are many references to the launds of Benefield and to the capital messuage here in public records of the 14th/15th century {4}. It has been described as Benefield Lodge, a moated farmhouse, once 'one of the old Forest Officer's Lodges'.

<1> Treswell, 1580, Map of Beanfield, Corby, (unchecked) (Map). SNN31020.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.25+fig.30+pl.19 (part checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.395 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<4> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.212 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP88NE3 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1899-1950 (Map). SNN112944.

<7> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WCW 07-JUL-1960 (Note). SNN113151.

<8> Woodhouse, W C, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WCW 09-JUN-1960 (Note). SNN113151.

<9> Colquhoun, FD, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F2 FDC 05-JUL-1960 (Notes). SNN112761.

<10> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F3 JB 24-JUL-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

<11> ORAL REPORT, Oral: Mr CH Champion, farmer, Beanfield Lawn (Oral Report). SNN53287.

<12> Pettit P.A.J., 1968, The Royal Forests of Northamptonshire: A Study in Their Economy 1558-1714, p. 150-1 (Series). SNN42130.

Record last edited

Apr 25 2022 3:08PM