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Summary

Belleau Manor moated site

Full description

A MOATED SITE WHICH CONSISTED OF A BASE-COURT AND ENTRANCE TO THE NORTH, WITH A SECOND COURT SURROUNDING OUTER OFFICES TO THE SOUTH. AN 18TH CENTURY BUILDING ON THE SITE INCORPORATED SOME MEDIEVAL AND TUDOR FEATURES BUT WAS DEMOLISHED IN 1978. {1}{2}{3}{4}{5}, HTM 20M
During the 14th and 15th centuries, Belleau manor was held by the Welles family, subsequently passing to the Willoughby family. The medieval manor house, which formerly occupied the moated site, was said to be the seat of the Lords of Willoughby d'Eresby. This house was replaced in the 16th c. by a hall, belonging to Sir Harry Devane after the Civil War. The hall's remains, with 18th and 20th c. alterations, stand at the centre of the moated island, presently incorporated into a barn which is listed Grade II*. A late 17th c. Manor House with medieval features, thought to have been an extension to the hall, was demolished in 1978, but survives as a buried feature. A 20th c. brick-built stable block at the north edge of the island includes a 16th c. stone arch taken from the former gatehouse of the manor, and is also a Listed Building Grade II.{7}
The island is rectangular in plan, approximately 140m by 95m, and is surrounded by a moat measuring up to 14m in width. To the west, south and north-east, the moat is water-filled; part of the eastern and northern arms have been infilled, but survive as buried features. The western and southern arms carry part of a stream supplied from a nearby spring, with the water flowing in at the north-west corner and out at the south-east corner. The southern arm and part of the western arm are lined by internal and external banks, while the northern arm is crossed by a post-medieval brick-built arched bridge, which is included in the scheduling. This bridge is thought to stand on or near the site of the original access to the island.{7}
All farm buildings, including the barn and stable block, boundary walls, sluices, weirs and fence posts are excluded from the scheduling, although the buried remains beneath these features are included.{7}
See also PRN 42675.

Monument Types

• MOAT (Medieval - 1300 AD to 1539 AD)

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument

Sources and further reading

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