Monument record 720/1 - Lordsfields Farm Moated Site

Medieval moated site north of Whittlebury at Lordsfield Farm. Traditionally the site of the manor house of Whittlebury. The moat remains waterfilled. The earliest detailed description is a map of about 1726 which shows a rectangular island with a large building on it and a bridge across the ditch near the south east corner.

{1} The earliest map shows a large building on the rectangular island, and a bridge across the moat near its south-east corner. The manor house itself occupies the square moat, and two further buildings stand outside. There is a fenced paddock to the west.

{5} This is traditionally the site of the manor house of Whittlebury but it lies to the north of the village. A moated site now occupied by a farmhouse. Lordsfields Farm.

{6, 8} SP68854504 Site of Manor House Moat. In summary: The manor house of Whittlebury stood in Lord's fields N of the village. The moat, which surrounded it, still remains and a farm house occupies the area. The moat is waterfilled but the level varies with the seasons. No foundation remains were seen on the island.

{7} Moat (SP 688 450) lies in an isolated position north of the village at Lords Field Farm, on Boulder Clay at 145m above OD, with extensive views to the north west. The site now consists of a sub-rectangular island, surrounded by a broad wet moat 1m deep with a causeway across it on the north east. The island is uneven but no distinguishable features remain; the present farm lies to the north east. The earliest detailed depiction of the site is on a map of about 1726. This shows the island as rectangular, with a large building on it, and a bridge across the ditch on the east near the south east corner, leading to other buildings which appear to be barns. On a later map of about 1767 the same details are shown and a fenced paddock is depicted to the west of the site. The moat is traditionally the site of the manor house of Whittlebury.

<1> 1726, Map of Whittlebury, (unchecked) (Map). SNN12650.

<2> 1767, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN12651.

<3> 1958, OS 6 INCH MAP, SP64NE (Map). SNN12647.

<4> SUPPLEMENTARY FILE, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN52064.

<5> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.70 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP64NE7 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<7> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 169/site 6 (Series). SNN77382.

<8> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 29-JAN-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<9> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1986, DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Northamptonshire (Parts 5-8) (Schedule). SNN104787.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:56PM