More information : [ SP 88557700] site of [TI] Castle [G.T.]
[SP 88627712] Moat [G.T.]
[SP 88607691] Moat [G.T.] (1)
Nicholas de Segrave obtained licence to make a castle of his manor house at Barton in 4th.Edw.II.
The remaining earthworks consist of two disconnected enclosures having no common outworks. There are no traces of stonework. The pond between the enclosure has not the appearance of forming part of the original plan and the enclosures may be of different dates. (2-3)
West of Barton Seagrave Church are two rectangular, moated areas, of which the more southerly appears to be the site of the Castle.
The northerly work is essentially a square, now dry, moat, linked to a broad marshy ditch, which runs along the north side. The central island is taken up by 3 rectangular hollows, probably a building site.
On the outer, NE, corner is a low earthen mound. The southern moat is an irregular rectangle, partially dry and much mutilated. The large central island shows considerable disturbance, quite formless and without stone content yet the most likely site for the Castle or Manor House.
The two features are linked by a narrow, now dry, Ditch, and two, marshy, fishponds, one isolated, the other joining the southern moat; complete this most complex site. Resurveyed at 1/1250. (4-5)
Published surveys (latest 1969), revised. (6)
Barton Seagrave castle and fishponds (SP 88607691-88627712). Though often termed a castle the remains only suggest two simple moated enclosures. The S enclosure is undoubtedly that of the manor of Barton Hanred last mentioned as inhabited in 1433. The rectangular hollows within the N enclosure are probably ponds, though the reason for their form is unclear. RCHM plan and photographs. (7)
The fishponds appear to be used for fish breeding within the moated area. (8)
The southern moat was clearly constructed to hold water. The more northern moat is on the same alignment and consists of a square platform again with the intention of holding water. Excavation has suggested that the supposed fish breeding ponds are stone pits cut a later date. (9)
Listed by Cathcart King. (10) |