More information : [SE 2014 4567] Manor House on site of [T.I.]
Archbishop's Place [G.T.] (1)
Episcopal palace of the Archbishops of York at Otley. Kitchens
were added c. 1415 and it was occupied until 1606 Completely ruined
by the time of the Civil War. It was moated. "The foundations
remained until about 1780 when the existing manor-house, at the
bottom of Kirkgate, was built on the site. (2)
18th century manor-house. Sited to SE 2014 4567. (3)
The traditional and natural site of the espiscopal palace is the
summit of the hill at SE 2007 4567, and not that occupied by the
Manor House (authy. 2). This position could also, be more easily
reconciled with Speight's (authy 2) reference to the palace as a
"moated mansion". I have encountered wall footings in manor
excavations at this point (a). (4)
The surface of the ground in this area is hummocky, though no
building foundations are visible. The site is on a natural
eminence, and appears to be a more likely position than that
of the adjacent Manor House.
Possible remains of a moat comprise an unidentified, earthen bank
to the west of the site, and the scarp of the entrance drive to
the Manor House in the east.
The bank extends from SE 2005 4558 to SE 2001 4564, and has an
average height of 1.2m. Traces of the ditch are apparent on the
western side.
Approach to the palace was probably by a terraced way along the
top of the river bank from the southern end of Otley Bridge
(SE 2015 4581).
A 25" survey has been made.
The Manor House shows no evidence of reutilized material.
See GP AO/61/95/2 for southern aspect of Manor.House. (5)
Condition unchanged. Survey of 28.2.61 checked and correct. (6)
The site of the old hall, Otley, was excavated by the Otley
Archaeological and Historical Society. Remains of walling suggested
that an early building, perhaps of 1300, had been demolished
and replaced in the 15th century, perhaps by Archbishop Bowett
(1406-1423). (7)
Excavation of the N wing of the archbishop's manor house by H E Jean Le Patourel for the Yorkshire Archaeological Society and M P B W revealed a first-floor hall with attached chamber, c.130ft by 24ft, mainly of the early 14th century. It had central timber roof supports and a turret stair. Below was a middle 12th century hall of similar dimensions but with large stone central roof supports. Hearths were found only in the chamber. (8)
Additional references. (9)(10)(11)
A stone built wing of the palace, 145ft x 28ft, had a chapel of three periods at its east end. The building shows Saxon and Norman characteristics which in the early 13th century developed into a chapel of two storeys with a vaulted undercroft. Later it reverted to a single-storey building. A new type of Saxo-Norman pottery, associated with an earlier timber structure, was identified and named Otley Ware. (12)
Additional reference. (13)
Nationally important archaeologal deposits are expected to survive within many areas of the historic core of Otley, however under current legislation and paractice, scheduling is not at present considered an appropriate management tool for these nationally important remains within Otley. Instead it is recommended that the area is managed via PPG16, including the use of pre-determination evaluation where appropriate.
The exposed ruins within the riverside walk are assumed to be in sympathetic ownership and management. This small area could be recommended for scheduling if thought beneficial, although this could then risk undermining the significance of the surrounding unexcavated area, even though this surrounding area is probably of greater national importance being unexcavated and thus better preserved.
Although the early history of Otley is referred to in the Conservation Area Assessment of the town, consideration could also be given to
writing a determination evaluation in parts of the town. Ideally this should be linked into a research strategy for Otley's early history. (14) |