Monument record 4745/4/1 - Site of Alderton Manor House

Probable site of original manor house situated to the north-west of the village. William Gorges built 'a very large mension-house' here in 1582. The house was partly demolished in the early 18th century (no house is shown on the 1726 map) and the surviving section was then described as 'embattled'. It was large enough to host a visit of Queen Anne of Denmark in 1605. Geophysical survey undertaken in 2000 identified significant anomalies thought to relate to the manor house in the garden of Bramblewood. Trial trenching undertaken by the owner of Bramblewood has identified walls thought to be the remains of the north range of the manor house.

{2} This may be the site of the medieval manor house of Alderton but is certain that William Gorges built 'a very large mension-house' here in 1582. The house was partly demolished in the early 18th century (no house is shown on the 1726 map but an elaborate gateway is depicted, flanked by two long buildings presumably barns or stables) and the surviving section was then described as 'embattled'. Nothing remains of the manion house; its site, presumably, is occupied by the 19th century barns and cart sheds.

{5} Clearly defined high resistance anomalies consistent with structual remains are visible in the data and indicate the foundations of the former Manor House.

{6} The original manor house stood to the north-west of the village and there are sparse remains there of a garden layout. It was large enough to host a visit of Queen Anne of Denmark in 1605.

{7} Archaeological investigation by the owner of Bramblewood included the excavation of eight trenches and two test pits within the gardens of both Bramblewood and the adjacent property, Mull House. A possible moat containing artefacts dating to the 17th and 18th centuries and a 16th century garden path, c 3m wide, with a drain beneath have been identified. A trench excavated to the rear of Bramblewood identified a significant wall with two chimney breasts. The north-west corner of the manor house was found. Excavations at Mull House could not reveal the eastern extent of the house as it had been destroyed by the construction of a swimming pool, although a backfilled cellar which lay beneath the eastern wing was found. A test pit excavated in front of Bramblewood identified a further backfilled cellar from which a fragment of window tracery was retrieved.

{8} The manor house at Alderton stood at the NW extremity of the village. A new house was built in 1582, to the S of the former manor house. Baker refers to mullioned windows in the farm buildings.

{9} The buildings depicted on the 1726 map are possibly part of Alderton medieval manor house.

{10} A large house platform is situated at SP 73874696 surrounded by earthworks of former formal gardens incorporating fishponds; and a low flat mound with a wide surrounding ditch (probably the site of an earlier house). The adjacent area shows surface evidence of shrinkage and quarrying. The building of 1582 is a plain stone thatched cottage, not outstanding and rather insignificant. There are no indications of a building at the published site which falls within a former pond and is obviously incorrect.

{11} The flat topped mound has recently been identified as a motte.

<1> Kliene J. S., 2000, The Manor Houses Of Alderton - A Short History With Illustrations, (unchecked) (Interim Report). SNN100551.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.62 site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> 1726, Northamptonshire Record Office map of Alderton 1726, (unchecked) (Map). SNN59325.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.280 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<5> Hirst, K., 2006, An Archaeological Investigation at The Mount, Alderton, Northamptonshire, p.35 (checked) (Report). SNN106479.

<6> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 77 (Book). SNN111989.

<7> Kliene, J, 2002, Gorges Mansion House: The Lost Elizabethan Manor House of Alderton, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112065.

<8> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.120 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<9> FOARD G.R., 1985, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN50976.

<10> Colquhoun, FD, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments (Notes). SNN111540.

<11> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Inf: Northants SMR 4th Dec 1998 (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<12> Historic England, Undated, Alderton Manor (Archive). SNN116081.

Record last edited

Feb 22 2024 10:45AM