Record Details

Summary

Thorpe in Balne Medieval and 19th century Manor House and moated site. The site also encompasses a twelfth century chapel (PIN 00492/01).

Monument Type(s):

• MANOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
• FISHPOND (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1539 AD)
• MOAT (Medieval - 1100 AD to 1539 AD)
• DITCH (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1399 AD)
• FISHPOND (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1539 AD)
• PIT (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1399 AD)
• WALL (Medieval - 1200 AD to 1539 AD)
• MANOR (?C19, Post Medieval to Industrial - 1540 AD to 1914 AD)

Associated Finds:

Protected Status:

• Scheduled Monument () 1012111: Thorpe in Balne Moated site, chapel and fishpond

Full Description

<1> Thorpe in Balne moat consists of a large rectangular island, measuring c140 east to west and c120 north to south, and a surrounding moat c10m wide, largely dry and partially filled in on the south side to provide access to New Machine House and the Farmyard. Several fishponds are to be seen on the island, one a linear depression running north to south across the centre of the island which joins, at its northern end, a dry 2m deep fishpond which lies in the NE corner of the site and has a sluice leading into the east arm of the moat. A third fishpond, now filled in, can be seen in the NW corner where the grass varies in colour from that round about, and others may be represented by areas of earthwork and infill in the garden behind the house. Another fishpond, now sliced through by the road, exists to the south of the island and was an extension of the east arm of the moat. To the south of the house, amongst the farm buildings, is a chancel of a twelfth century chapel, the nave of which was demolished in the nineteenth century. The footings if its south wall, with two buttresses, can be seen in the cow byre. The chapel is thought to have been built by Otto de Tilli who was granted the manor of Thorpe in Balne by William Vavasor in the mid twelfth century. The manor later passed through the hands of the Newmarches, the Gascoigns and the Wentworths. The Chapel lost its endowment at the time of the Reformation.

<2> See 'Moated Sites in South Yorkshire' thematic report for sketch plan of site and photographs.

<3> The dedication of the chapel is not know. In 1452 the chapel was the scene of a forcible abduction of Joan, wife of Charles Nowel, by Edward Lancaster of Skipton in Craven. The incident resulted in the passing of an act of parliament for the redress of the grievance and the better protection of females [further details and architectural account].

<4> A geophysical survey in 1987 identified the presence of subsurface anomalies, although these could not be positively identifed.

<5> Manor House of 19th century and appearance, but with well defined moat and 3 fishponds at south east 59861118, 59891115, 59931118. Also Norman chapel now a barn (PIN 00492). References: Buildings W R Yorks 1974 p.513-4 (Pevsner).

<6> A watching brief was undertaken during groundworks affecting the western part of the moat. Evidence for cleaning of the moat was observed, along with two paths and stone wall foundation towards the SW corner.

<7> Evaluation was undertaken ahead of the construction of an extension to the house in the southern part of the moated area. This identified walls of 13th century or later date, a surface, a pit and a ditch dated to the 12th-14th centuries. Residual pottery of 7th-9th and 10th to 12th century date was also recovered.

<1> English Heritage, See Record, Scheduling Record (Scheduling record). SSY162.

<2> South Yorkshire Archaeology Service, c1980, Moated Sites in South Yorkshire - Thematic report for the DoE (Unpublished document). SSY337.

<3> PF Ryder, 1976, Thorpe in Balne Manor Site (Moated Site) (Unpublished document). SSY346.

<4> Dave Barrett, 1987, Geophyscial Survey Thorpe-in-Balne June 1987 (Unpublished document). SSY347.

<5> Pevsner, N., 1967 [1974], The Buildings of England - Yorkshire (West Riding)., p. 513-4 (Bibliographic reference). SSY24.

<6> Humber Field Archaeology, 2016, Archaeological Observation, Investigation and Recording at Manor House, Thorpe Lane, Thorpe in Balne, South Yorkshire (Grey Literature Report). SSY3390.

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