Monument record 3434/1 - Probable site of medieval manor (South Hall)

Earthworks of a probable medieval moated manor house. The earthworks comprise a platform between 1-3m high. Medieval buildings were identified on the platform during investigation in 1957. The surrounding moat is no longer visible on the surface but a trench revealed a substantial ditch from which 13th century was recovered.

{1}The mound is described as being originally 100ft x 150ft (30 x 45m), although the south-east corner is now within the churchyard. Medieval building remains were revealed on top of the mound during trial excavation in 1957. A trial trench cut across the moat on east side of the site determined that the depth of the moat at this location was 10 feet 6 inches. It had a flat base. Late 12th-15th century pottery was recovered. Fieldname: South Hall Piece.

{2} Site of Manor House (SP 80265961) immediately W of the church, on sand at 84 m. above OD. The site consists of a rectangular raised platform with a level top, so that it is almost 3 m. high on the NW and only 1 m. high in the S. The SE part has been destroyed by the chruchyard and the NW corner has been damaged. Therre are slight traces of former buildings on the platform, but these may be modern. The site has been described as a motte, but it is more probably the site of a medieval manor house. The area in which it lies was known as South Hall Piece in 1835. Nothing remains of a surrounding ditch on the surface but a trench cut across the north edge in 1957 revealed a ditch which contained 13-century pottery and tile.

{3} Section across ditch excavated by E.D. Bailey (1957) Finds including 13th c pottery and tile in Northampton Museum.

{4} The earthwork shows as a raised platform max 1.4m high, the ditch having been filled in. Possibly the site for a medieval manor.

{5} Listed by Cathcart King as a badly worn ringwork with a possible bailey.

<1> Bailey E.D., 1959, The Site of a Mediaeval Fortified Manor House at Little Houghton, p.192-3 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN25353.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.89 site 29 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> Annotated Record Map, Northampton Museum 6" AW 1957 (Map). SNN112961.

<4> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 13-MAY-1970 (Notes). SNN110341.

<5> Cathcart King, D J, 1983, Castellarium anglicanum : an index and bibliography of the castles in England, Wales and the Islands. Volume II : Norfolk-Yorkshire and the islands, p. 316 (Book). SNN112899.

<6> Historic England, Undated, MANOR HOUSE SITE.(SEE ARCH/35/1853), BB76/02112 (Archive). SNN114267.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:08PM