Monument record MLI91637 - Site of the Hussey manor house, Old Place, Sleaford
Summary
Site of the Hussey manor house, Old Place, Sleaford
Type and Period (12)
- MANOR HOUSE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1400 AD? to 1822 AD)
- MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- ENCLOSURE (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- WALL (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- OUTBUILDING (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- VINERY ? (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- GARDEN (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1400 AD? to 1822 AD?)
- PIT (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- WELL (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- CORN DRYING OVEN ? (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- KILN ? (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
PRN 65278
A manor house was established at Old Place in 'around 1400', apparently built by the first of the Husseys who settled at Sleaford. The Husseys continued to reside there until John, Lord Hussey forfeited the estates which were then purchased by the Carres. The house is described as 'an interesting old mullioned window house having a stepped gable'. In 1822 it was demolished to make way for the current house (PRN 64681). A possible moat or earthwork surrounding the area and defending it is also mentioned, and this is thought to have incorporated a Roman 'fosse'. Sections of this were still visible in the 19th century. {1}
The house described by Trollope (see above) was itself a replacement for the original Hussey 'Manor Place' which was described by Leland in the 1530s as 'lately almost new builded of stone and timbre'. Hussey himself was disparaging of this house, however documentary evidence shows it to have provided comfortable accommodation for the family, a steward, servants and high status guests. There was almost certainly a chapel and bakehouse, as well as extensive outbuildings for agriculture and horticulture. Possible remains of these outbuildings, including remains of a kiln or drying oven and two stone-lined possible wells or tanks, were discovered during excavations in 1984-5. A large, waterlogged ditch was also revealed during the same excavation and this has been interpreted as part of a moat, although a moat is not mentioned in documentary sources and this may have belonged to an earlier house. A walled enclosure tentatively interpreted as the remains of a covered vinery associated with the garden was also found during the same excavations. Documentary sources record that close to Manor Place were further estate buildings including a dovecote, stables and a large barn as well as a garden and orchard, closes of meadow and pasture, an elm garth and a 24 acre park (see PRN 65279). There was also about 100 acres of pasture land on which sheep were grazed, all of which was apparently contiguous with Manor Place. {2}
A bridge over a deep moat was recorded at the north western corner of Old Place in the 19th century. {4}
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SLI920 Bibliographic Reference: Edward Trollope. 1872. Sleaford and the Wapentakes of Flaxwell and Aswardhurn in the County of Lincoln. pp 183-84.
- <2> SLI8621 Bibliographic Reference: Shelia M. Elsdon. 1997. Old Sleaford Revealed: A Lincolnshire Settlement in Iron Age, Roman, Saxon and Medieval Times: Excavations 1882-1995. p 43-44; pp 69-71.
- <3> SLI3265 Index: Sleaford SMR cards. SLEAFORD. TF 04 NE; D.
- <4> SLI11973 Correspondence: 1936-1964. Letters and other material relating to the Stubley Collection. No. 27.
- <5> SLI886 Bibliographic Reference: William White. 1856. History, Gazetteer and Directory of Lincolnshire - Second Edition. pp 438-39.
- <6> SLI2726 Index: Ordnance Survey. Sleaford O.S. cards. SLEAFORD. TF 04 NE; 20.
Map
Location
Grid reference | Centred TF 07599 45891 (225m by 212m) |
---|---|
Civil Parish | SLEAFORD, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (3)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
Feedback?
Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.