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Summary - not yet available

Monument Types

• MANOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1500 AD)

Associated Events

• Watching brief at Rectory Farm, Pirton, 1996 (Ref: HN051)

Protected Status

• Scheduled Ancient Monument 13612: TOOT HILL MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLE AND SHRUNKEN MEDIEVAL VILLAGE AT PIRTON
• SHINE: Pirton motte-and-bailey castle
• Area of Archaeological Significance 21

Full description

The manor is recorded in Domesday as 'Peritone'. At the Norman Conquest, Pirton was a thriving manorial estate held by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It passed to Ralph de Limesi, whose family held it for four generations. The motte and bailey castle [32] in the centre of the village, known as Toot Hill, was erected during this time. At end of the 12th century the manor was divided between Willliam and Hugh, sons of Limesi's great-granddaughter. The manor remained in their families until the Dissolution. In 1538 Henry VIII granted the property to Anthony Denny, whose family held it until 1609 when it passed to Sir John Davies. In 1656 the manor was sold to Thomas Knight and in 1686 conveyed to Sir Anthony Dean. It was sold again in 1736 to Robert, second Lord Raymond and was inherited by Benesham Filmer. In 1870 the manor was sold to Mr Daniel Davies of Hexton Manor <1>. For evidence of shrinkage (and the settlement's complex history) see [746, 16620]. Also see [4315] for church, [746] for earthworks and [9677] for Saxo-Norman cemetery and possible church.

<1> Ashworth, Helen, 1998, Rectory Farm, Pirton, Herts: watching brief report, RNO 706 (Report). SHT7301.

Sources and further reading

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