More information : [SK 67234342] Shelford Manor [GT] on site of Priory [GT](Augustinian). (1)
A priory of the order of St. Austin, built by Ralph Hanselyn, temp. Henry II, dedicated to St. Mary. There were 12 canons shortly before the Dissolution. It was granted to Michael Stanhope, 29/31 Henry VIII(a). Sim. infm refoundation, dissolved 1536(b). Detailed ecclesiastical history; gives list of priors from 1204. The grant to Stanhope mentions the church and churchyard(c). Add. ref. (d) (2)
Shelford Manor was a garrison of the Royalists throughout the Civil War. In 1645 the Parliamentary forces moved against Shelford which is described as a fortified house surrounded by a very strong 'bulwark' and a great ditch on the outside of it partly filled with water. The attack, at 4 o'clock on the 3rd November 1645, lasted for half an hour. The ditch was filled with fascines and the bulwark taken by storm. The original accounts refer to 'half moons' within the bulwark being as good a defence as the outer works. A drawbridge is mentioned. The house was captured with great slaughter, 160 Royalists being killed. That same night the house was burned to the ground (e).
Sim. infm. Part of the burned house was built into the present house.(f) (2e)(2f)
Shelford Manor is a 17/18th c house faced with ashlar, with some mullioned and transomed windows, much altered. It incorporates masonry of Shelford Priory (g) Late 17th C. The house is on the site of the priory but hardly anything of interest is left except for a few worked stones of varying periods in the walls and elsewhere.(j) (2g-j)
Shelford Manor is a large stone constructed residence, much restored and renovated. Within the fabric fragments of an earlier building or buildings are visible in the forms of blocked mullion and transomed windows of Elizabethan type, with, in some instances, modern casement inserts. In the NW face one window exhibits decorative hood moulding. A blocked door arch in this face and its twin in the SE face appear to have been reinserted. At several points the stones exhibit scorch-marks, doubtless from the burning of the original fortified house. No earthwork defences are now identifiable and although there are many fragments of decorative stone rebuilt into the garden walls, no remains that could be associated with the former Priory were noted. GPs AO/60/307/1. Aspect from East. /2 SW face. /3 NW face. (3)
The north eastern part of the outer ditch and a half moon defence can be seen at SK 674434. (4-5)
Garrisoned about January 1643. (6)
Shelford Manor House. Built on the site of and incorporating masonry from Shelford Priory, c1600, probably by R. or J. Smythson for the Stanhope family, burnt 1645, rebuilt c1678, mid C18 and C19. Grade II*. (7)
History of the priory. (8) |