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Name:Melton Mowbray historic settlement core
HER Ref:MLE3930
Parish:Melton Mowbray, Melton, Leicestershire
Grid Reference:SK 75 19
Map:Coming soon

Monument Types

  • MINT (Late Anglo Saxon - 850 AD to 1066 AD)
  • TOWN (Late Anglo Saxon to Late Post-medieval - 850 AD to 1899 AD)
  • MANOR HOUSE (Early Medieval to Late Medieval - 1100 AD to 1350 AD)

Summary

The historic core of the town is centred on the market place (MLE3931) and parish church (MLE14728). A former, possibly fortified manor house, refered to as a castle, may have been located to the north of the market place. It appears that Melton may well have had a Saxon mint. The historic core is based on Burton's Estate map of 1787 and the early C19th OS Surveyor's map.

Additional Information

Domesday refers to a market 'which pays 20s'. (RPJ Jan 87)


<1> The British Numismatic Journal, Vol 70, 2001, p143 (Journal). SLE657.

A coin found in 1999 suggested that Melton had been the site of a Saxon mint.

<2> Hunt, Philip, 1979, The Story of Melton Mowbray, p61 (Bibliographic reference). SLE379.

The evidence for a castle or 'fortified manor house' at Melton Mowbray is summarised by Hunt and repeated by Cantor, quoting various documentary and antiquarian sources. Hunt notes that Burton, writing in 1622, recorded the presence of a castle at Melton Mowbray, attributing its foundation to Roger, Lord Mowbray. A castle is mentioned in 'Baker's Chronicle' (no reference), whilst Cantor further notes Harvey (no reference and undated) as listing a former castle at Melton Mowbray, now demolished. Hunt postulates its construction in the mid 12th century, during the Anarchy afflicting the reign of Stephen (1139-1154). He suggests the building, manor or castle, was located to the north of the Market Place, in the vicinity of King Street. A 19th century antiquarian notes the presence of substantial masonry remains either side of the street, incorporated into later buildings. The castle or manor house is believed to have been replaced in the later 14th century by a new manor on King Street, thought to surviving in part as 5, King Street (MLE14704).

<3> 2016, National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) accessioning (Website). SLE4981.

SUMMARY: "Medieval town first mentioned in Domesday 1086."
URL: 'https://nrhe-to-her.esdm.co.uk/NRHE/RecordDetail.aspx?pageid=45&he_uid=924392', accessioned 24/05/2024.

<4> Ekwall, E, 1985, The Concise Dictionary of English Place-Names (4th edition), p321 (Bibliographic reference). SLE7332.

The town of Melton Mowbray is called Medeltone in the Domesday Book, by 1200 the Town is recorded as Melton, and in 1201 the Curia Regis Rolls call the town Miauton. The Close Rolls in 1284 record the town of Melton Moubray. The name Melton Mowbray has unclear roots, although it may be derived from the Old English Mael Tun, or Mylentun (mill tun).

Sources

<1>Journal: The British Numismatic Journal. Vol 70, 2001, p143.
<2>Bibliographic reference: Hunt, Philip. 1979. The Story of Melton Mowbray. p61.
<3>Website: 2016. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) accessioning.
<4>Bibliographic reference: Ekwall, E. 1985. The Concise Dictionary of English Place-Names (4th edition). p321.

Associated Finds

    None recorded

Designations

  • Conservation Area: Melton Mowbray

Associated Images

NGR_087_01.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
NGR_087_02.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
NGR_088_10.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
NGR_088_11.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
NGR_088_12.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
NGR_088_13.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
NGR_088_15.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
NGR_088_17.jpg
Melton Mowbray (c.1977)
© LCC
SK750195.tif
Melton Mowbray (1971)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK751191.tif
Melton Mowbray (1987)
© Leicestershire County Council
SK752192.tif
Melton Mowbray (1971)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK753187.tif
Melton Mowbray (1987)
© Leicestershire County Council
SK753190a.tif
Melton Mowbray (unknown date)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK753190b.tif
Melton Mowbray (unknown date)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK753190c.tif
Melton Mowbray (unknown date)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK753190d.tif
Melton Mowbray (unknown date)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK753192.tif
Melton Mowbray (1971)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK754194.tif
Melton Mowbray (1971)
© Historic England Archive, Jim Pickering Collection
SK756193.tif
Melton Mowbray (unknown date)
© Unknown