EATON BRAY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Eaton Bray Parish

Transcription

1 EATON BRAY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Eaton Bray Parish Grade: I & II* Listed Buildings April 2018

2 CONTENTS: Grade I CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN...3 Grade II DOOLITTLE MILL , CHURCH LANE , HIGH STREET , MOOR END , MOOR END...8 GREAT GREEN FARMHOUSE...9 BARNCROFT 27, THE RYE...10 RYECOTE FARMHOUSE...11 THE OLD HOUSE...12 BELLOWS MILL...13 MOOREND FARMHOUSE...14 THE WHITE HORSE PUBLIC HOUSE , HIGH STREET HONEYWICKE COTTAGE...17 MOAT FARMHOUSE...18 WILLOW COTTAGE...19 LEY FARMHOUSE...20 OLD SANDON S HOUSE...21 STABLE AT POPLAR FARM...22 METHODIST CHURCH...23 BARN AND ATTACHED SHELTER SHED AT POPLAR FARM...24 PARK FARM MOATED SITE, DEER PARK AND FISHPONDS...25

3 CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN List Entry Number: Grade: I Date first listed: 03-Feb-1967 Location: ST MARY THE VIRGIN Church Lane, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Externally of very simple appearance: ashlar Totternhoe-stone. Internally-good Early English arcades of 5 bays with stiff-leaf capitals. Chancel arch is of similar date, although the chancel appears to have been rebuilt C15. Simple west tower with spike, and Perpendicular windows. Shallow transepts. South door has fine mid-c13 iron scrollwork. Tomb chest to Lady Bray (d 1558) and 11 children. Brass inscription to Lord Bray (d 1539). Another inscription referring to Jane, daughter of Lord and Lady Bray. The church at Eaton Bray (then called Eitone) was begun about 1200 under the patronage of the local baron of Eitone, William de Cantelou, using stone from nearby Totternhoe. The exterior has been much altered since Cantelou s time, with 15th century Perpendicular windows and a squat tower. Much of this later remodeling can be attributed to Reginald de Bray, a confidant of Henry VII. It was Bray who is said to have placed Richard III s crown upon Henry s head after the Battle of Bosworth. Bray helped rebuild St. George s Chapel at Windsor Castle, but he was also responsible for expanding the church at Eitone, which henceforth became Eiton Bray, and later, Eaton Bray. The south door is covered with particularly fine 13th century scrolled ironwork, though the wood is more modern. Inside the church, look for the delicate carvings on the north arcade (1220), and the marks of the old roof, which was raised in the 15th century. The corbels supporting the current roof are carved with human faces. Parts of the early church survive in the 13th century piscina, and the chancel arch (1320), but much is Reginald de Bray s work. Under the north east window in the chancel is the tomb of Jane, Lady Bray, who married Reginald s nephew Edmund. Her funerary brass used to grace the tomb of an abbot or bishop, from whence it was taken during the Reformation. Lady Jane is portrayed in prayer with her son and ten daughters 3

4 DOOLITTLE MILL List Entry Number: * Location: DOOLITTLE MILL, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Red brick house and adjoining tower mill truncated at fourth floor after sails blew down circa Mill has flat roof. House is 2 storey. Old clay tile roof. Two casement windows. Modern porch. Doolittle mill is thought to have been built between 1815 and It is a rare example of a combined wind and water mill, the water mill being situated in the first two floors with the windmill in the brick tower above. The windmill ceased operation in 1868 when its sails were blown off and a steam engine was then installed. It closed in Today, the mill is a private dwelling with some commercial premises situated in the grounds. It can be seen from the public highway. Local folklore has it that Doolittle mill acquired its name a corruption of Do Little because it is sited at the head of a stream and hence, in dry weather when water flow was low, the water mill was not capable of doing much work. It was then that recourse was made to its sails and, later, to the steam engine. 4

5 2, CHURCH LANE List Entry Number: Location: 2, CHURCH LANE, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17 modernised. Timber-framed with colourwashed plaster infill. Two storeys. Modern tile roof. Two modern casements and porch. Left hand section rebuilt with mock timber-framing. A row of three cottages stand opposite the south front of the church in Church Lane. At a quick glance they all look old, but a closer inspection will reveal that only the westernmost, Number 2 is truly ancient, as it warped timbers testify. The property was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The department dated the cottage to the 17th century. It is timber-framed with colour-washed plaster infill and comprises two storeys under a modern tiled roof. The cottage formed part of the Manor of Eaton Bray and was sold at auction with the rest of the Eaton Bray property (known as the Pedley Settled Estates) in 1915 by the executors of Arthur Macnamara 5

6 70, HIGH STREET List Entry Number: Location: 70, HIGH STREET, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17. Timber frame with colour-washed plaster. One storey and attic. Central stack. Corrugated iron roof, modern windows. 70 High Street is an attractive cottage. It was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 when it was dated as 17th century. It is a timber-framed structure with colourwashed plaster rendering. It comprises one storey with an attic and has a thatched roof. In 1980 the roof was corrugated iron. The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Eaton Bray, like most of the county, was assessed in The valuer visiting 70 High Street [DV1/C235/55-56] found that it was owned and occupied by W. and E. Piggott. The cottage had two living rooms and two sculleries downstairs with three bedrooms in the attics, clearly indicating it had once been two separate dwellings. Outside stood a corrugated iron washhouse and W. C. ( Old and bad ), a small brick and corrugated iron barn, a weather-boarded and corrugated iron store place, a cow house for two, a stable for one, a cart shed for one, a four bay open fronted cart shed with a cow house for one inside and a lean-to shed, all summed up by the valuer as useful. There was also acres of orchard, the valuer noting that the trees were all ages, ground all old pits 6

7 52, Moor End List Entry Number: Location: 52, Eaton Bray, MOOR END, Central Bedfordshire C16. Timber-framed with red brick nogging, red brick ground floor. Two storeys. Old clay tile roof. South gable jettied. Modern casement windows. 52 Moor End was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. It is an ancient property, dating from the 16th century and is built of timber framing with red brick infill or nogging on the first floor. The ground floor is simply red brick. The house has two storeys beneath an old clay tile roof. The south gable is jettied that is, the first floor slightly overhangs the ground floor. The property was evidently part of the Manor of Eaton Bray owned, in the late 19th and 20th centuries by Arthur Macnamara. 7

8 46, Moor End List Entry Number: Location: 46, Eaton Bray, MOOR END, Central Bedfordshire C18. Timber framed with colour washed brick infill, mostly replacing ground floor framing. Two storeys, end stacks, old clay tile roof. Modern windows and porch. 46 Moor End does not look particularly old if one glances at it from the pavement, but it was listed by the former Department of Environment in 1980 as Grade II, of special interest, and dates from the 18th century. It is of timber-framed construction with brick infill between the timbers. In fact the ground floor is now mostly brick. The property comprises two storeys beneath an old clay tiled roof. The porch and windows are modern. The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Eaton Bray, like much of the county, was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting 46 Moor End [DV1/C235/10-11] found it owned by J. Weedon and divided into two tenements, north and south. The southerly half was occupied by F. Weedon, the owner s son, who paid rent of six shillings per month. 8

9 GREAT GREEN FARMHOUSE List Entry Number: Location: GREAT GREEN FARMHOUSE, THE RYE, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C16. Timber-framed first floor with red brick nogging; red brick ground floor. Two storeys. Modern tile roof. Three C19 flush sashes with glazing bars. Great Green Farmhouse was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. It is an ancient property, dating from the 16th century. The first floor is timber-framed, with red brick infill known as nogging; the ground floor is red brick. The house comprises two storeys beneath a modern tiled roof. The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Eaton Bray, like much of the county, was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting Great Green Farmhouse [DV1/H30/18] found that it was owned, like Old Ley Farm, by Bedfordshire County Council. It was occupied by Harry Heley who paid rent of 52/1/- per annum for 18 acres. The house comprised two reception rooms, a kitchen and a dairy with three bedrooms and a boxroom, upstairs. Water came from a well. In the yard stood a weather-boarded and thatched archway ( cart house ) and a barn used as four pigsties. There was also a weather-boarded and corrugated iron lean-to calf box, abrick, weather-boarded and corrugated iron stable for four and a weather-boarded and thatched food store, loose box and barn. 9

10 BARNCROFT 27, THE RYE List Entry Number: Location: 27, THE RYE, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17 timber frame with brick infill. Two storeys, modern roof, porch and windows. Central stack. Small extension right hand. Barncroft, 27 The Rye, was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The property dates from the 17th century and is timber-framed with brick infill. It comprises two storeys and has a modern roof, porch and windows. There is also a small extension at the righthand side. The house was evidently part of the Manor of Eaton Bray. In the late 19th and early 20th century the Lord of the Manor was Arthur Macnamara. On his death the property formed part of Pedley Settled Estates which his executors sold by auction in October

11 RYECOTE FARMHOUSE List Entry Number: Location: RYECOTE FARMHOUSE, THE RYE, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17. Timber frame and colour washed brick infill. C19 extension to right. Two storeys, old clay tile roof. Modern windows and porch. Central stack. Ryecote Farmhouse is quite invisible from the road as the photograph above demonstrates! It was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The house dates from the 17th century and is timber-framed with colour-washed brick infill. It has a 19th century extension at the right-hand side. The property comprises two storeys beneath an old clay tiled roof. The windows and porch are modern. The farm was evidently part of the Manor of Eaton Bray. In the late 19th and early 20th century the Lord of the Manor was Arthur Macnamara. 11

12 THE OLD HOUSE List Entry Number: Location: THE OLD HOUSE, 56, TOTTERNHOE ROAD, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C16 modernised. Timber frame and partly colour washed brick nogging. Extension to right, modern 2 storey porch to front. train building of storeys and at.tics. Thatched roof. Modern windows including 2 modern dormers. Central brick stack and clunch cbirmejr and fireplace within. Fireplace lintel dated Panelling probably from another house. The Old House is a splendid looking building on the east side of Totternhoe Road near the junction with Green Lane. It was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. It dates from the 16th century, though it has been modernised. The property is timber-framed with partly colour-washed brick infill known as nogging. There is an extension at the right-hand side and a modern two storey porch to front. The house comprises two storeys and attics beneath a thatched roof. The two dormer windows in the attics are a modern conceit. The listing notes that the lintel to the fireplace bears the date 1674 and that panelling inside is probably from another house. The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Eaton Bray, like most of the county, was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting The Old House [DV1/C202/48-50] found it owned and occupied by James Travell, listed as a farmer in Kelly s Directory for Bedfordshire of

13 BELLOWS MILL List Entry Number: Location: BELLOWS MILL, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17 altered and extended. Circa 1900 machinery intact. Main building: central unit 2 storeys and attics, colour-washed stucco. Modern porch, windows and canted bay. Old clay tile roof, 3 dormers. Timber frame within. Two C19 side wings of 2 storeys with slated roofs, and rear C19 wing in colour washed brick. The property was listed by the former Department of Environment in September The house dates from the 17th century, though later altered and extended. The mill machinery (by Suffolk manufacturers Whitmore and Binyon) is still intact. The main building has a central section of two storeys with attics, timberframed and rendered in colourwashed stucco and with an old clay tiled roof. There are two 19th century side wings each of two storeys with slate roofs and a rear 19th century block in colourwashed brick. Eaton Bray has had at least four mills. Remarkably no mill is recorded in Eaton Bray in the Domesday Book of 1086, but all Eaton Bray s mills were close to boundaries - Bellows Mill lay adjacent to the couty boundary and the two mills at Moor End, Moor End Mill and Two Counties Mill also lay close to the boundary and since the end of the 20th century both have become part of Edlesborough and thus Buckinghamshire. Edlesborough had two mills in 1086., until a change of boundary in 1985 was in Totternhoe! The earliest reference at Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service to bellows Mill is in 1618 when William Sandys of Eaton Bray, Anthony Sawrey of Middle Temple, William Mackreth of Eaton Bray and Edmund Buckmaster of Eaton Bray conveyed a watermill and millhouse called Bellys alias Bellowys Mill with a little tenement of new house adjoining together with closes totalling eight acres in Eaton Bray to William Abraham of Wingrave [Buckinghamshire] for 240. The miller at the time was William Seare [X196/1]. 13

14 MOOREND FARMHOUSE List Entry Number: Location: MOOREND FARMHOUSE, HIGH STREET, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17 with later additions. Front wing timber framed with brick infill panels. Two storeys and attics. Modern tile roof. Large external stack at rear with brick and clunch ashlar. Rear wing similar construction, storeys, also external stack. Linking wing similiar construction with modern canted bay window at front and brick stack in rear wall. Moor End Farmhouse is, today, hidden behind modern development in the High Street. It was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The department dated the building to the 17th century with later additions. The front wing s timber framed with brick infill panels. The rear wing is in brick with clunch ashlar. The linking wing is of similar construction. The house comprises two storeys and attics beneath a modern tiled roof. The farm was part of the Manor of Eaton Bray which, by the late 19th century was in the hands of the Macnamara family. In 1881 the tenants were Charles and John Hedges [BML6/11/1viii]. By 1897 the tenant was William Bates [BML6/6/1(viii)]. He was dead by 1903 because Kelly s Directory for that year, as for 1906, lists the tenant as the executors of William Bates. 14

15 THE WHITE HORSE PUBLIC HOUSE List Entry Number: Location: THE WHITE HORSE PUBLIC HOUSE, MARKET PLACE, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Early C19 double pile plan. Two storeys, colour washed roughcast. Hipped slated roof. Four sashes with glazing bars and hood to first floor. Two canted bays with sashes to ground floor. Gabled porch at right hand, extension at rear. The White Horse is the oldest known licensed premises in Eaton Bray. The earliest record of it is in 1810 when it was the venue for a court held by the Manor of Eaton Bray with the Members [BO316]. The building was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The department dated the construction to the early 19th century, raising the interesting possibility that it was purpose built as a public house. The building is clad in colourwashed roughcast and has a hipped slate roof. It has been extended to the rear. The White Horse played a minor role in a felony. In 1832 Samuel Heley of Edlesborough [Buckinghamshire] and George Woodcraft of Eaton Bray were accused of stealing ducks from Eaton Bray farmer William Rollings. He went to Heley s house and found one and a half ducks there, he also found two ducks at Woodcraft s house. He then went to the White Horse where he saw two ducks heads to one of which he identified because it had a blemish on the top of the eye, though the eye had been knocked out [QSR1842/4/5/61-62/a]. 30 year old Heley and 25 year old Woodcraft were both sentenced to six months hard labour [QGV10/2]. Woodcraft seems to have stayed on the right side of the law but Heley went to prison twice more in 1845 for stealing apples and pears, when he received fourteen days hard labour [QGV10/3] and in 1876 when he served fourteen days for breaching the Factory Acts [QGV12/2]. 15

16 2, HIGH STREET List Entry Number: Location: 2, HIGH STREET, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Late C16 or early C17. Timber-framed with whitewashed brick nogging. Two storeys. Old clay tile roof. Originally T-plan. West wing jettied. East wing added later. Modern leaded casements, and modern central porch. 2 High Street is a splendid half-timbered building which was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The department dated the structure to the late 16th or early 17th century. Between the timber-framing is whitewashed brick infill or nogging. The house has two storeys beneath an old clay tile roof. It was originally built in a T-plan with a jettied west wing (in other words the first storey overhangs the ground floor). The east wing was added later. A very full history of the property was undertaken in 2001 by Debrett Ancestry Research Limited. It runs to twenty pages and is available for study in the Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Records Service Searchroom, being in pamphlet box 130 for Eaton Bray. 16

17 HONEYWICKE COTTAGE List Entry Number: Location: HONEYWICKE COTTAGE, HONEY- WICK LANE, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Late C18 altered C19. Flint with brick dressings. Main wing 2 storeys, right hand projecting wing one storey and attic within mansard roof. Old clay tiles. First floor, 3 oriels each with 3 round headed lights and diamond shaped panes. Modern porch. Honeywick Lane lies some way north of the village of Eaton Bray. Honeywicke Cottage lies a little way down the south-east facing lane. The cottage was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The cottage dates from the late 18the century, though it was altered in the 19th. It is built with local flint with brick dressings. The main wing comprises two storeys with a right-hand wing of one storey and an attic within a mansard roof. The roofs are of old clay tiles. The porch is modern. The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Eaton Bray, like most of the county, was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting Honeywicke Cottage [DV1/C202/34] found that it was owned and occupied by T. Tearle. 17

18 MOAT FARMHOUSE List Entry Number: Location: MOAT FARMHOUSE, 72, HIGH STREET, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17. Timber-framed first floor with whitewashed brick nogging; ground floor plaster rendered. Two storeys. Old clay tile roof. Three casements. Central brick stack. C18 west wing of whitewashed brick. Hipped old clay tile roof and modern porch. Moat Farmhouse is a fine old building. It was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest and was dated to the 17th century. The ground floor is timber framed with plaster rendering whilst the first floor is timber framed with brick infill between the timbers called nogging. The roof is composed of old tiles. A later west wing dates to the 18th century and is built in whitewashed brick with an old, hipped, clay tiled roof. The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Eaton Bray, like most of the county, was assessed in 1927 and the valuer visiting Moat Farm [DV1/C235/52-54] found it was owned by W. Wood and occupied by his brother, F. Wood. The house comprised two living rooms, a kitchen, a scullery and three bedrooms; it had one bay window. A barn stood outside 18

19 WILLOW COTTAGE List Entry Number: Location: WILLOW COTTAGE, Eaton Bray, MOOR END, Central Bedfordshire C17 modernised. Timber frame visible with colourwashed brick infill. Projecting left hand gable. Old clay tile roof, hipped at right hand. Central stack with modern brick top. Modern windows with leaded lights. Two storeys. Modern extension with false timber framing at right hand. Willow Cottage stands a good way back from Moor End and it is difficult to tell its age from the road. In fact, it is an old building; it was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest, and dates from the 17th century, though it has been substantially modernised. It is a timber-framed building and the frame is still visible; it has colour-washed brick infill. There is a projecting left-hand gable and the two storeys sit beneath an old clay tile roof, hipped at its right-hand side. There is a modern extension with false timber framing at the right-hand side. The property was evidently part of the Manor of Eaton Bray. In the late 19th and early 20th century the Lord of the Manor was Arthur Macnamara. After his death, Pedley Settled Estates which he owned, were sold by auction by his executors in October

20 LEY FARMHOUSE List Entry Number: Date first listed: 12-Apr-1978 Location: LEY FARMHOUSE, 7, THE RYE, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17 core at rear with extensive C19 additions or rebuildings facing street. Two storeys, brick, some gault, some brown. Modern tile roof. Old brick stack central to rear wing. Two oriels with diamond panes in 4 lights and fishscale slates to canopy. Timber framed with brick infill archway at left hand. Right hand side elevation has C19 porch. Old Ley Farmhouse looks like quite an old building but it is surprising to discover that it is as old as it is. It was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1978 as Grade II, of special interest the core of the building dates from the 17th century though it also has extensive 19th century additions or rebuildings facing the street. The two storey property is built in brick, some of it of gault clay, some of it brown clay. It has a modern tiled roof but with an old brick chimney stack central to the rear wing. There is a timber framed archway with brick infill at the left-hand side of the housel; the right-hand side elevation has a 19th porch. The farm was evidently part of the Manor of Eaton Bray. In the late 19th and early 20th century the Lord of the Manor was Arthur Macnamara. On his death the property formed part of Pedley Settled Estates which his executors sold by auction in October

21 OLD SANDON S HOUSE List Entry Number: Location: OLD SANDON S HOUSE, 1, HIGH STREET, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire C17 and C18 with later additions. Front block 2 storeys and attics in brick with some vitrified headers, left hand gable end has some timber framing. Four sash windows to first floor front elevation, 2 modern gabled dormers in modern clay tile roof. External stack at left hand. Part of stack and wall at left in clunch ashlar with shallow band and moulded cornice. Rear wing largely rebuilt. Old Sandon s House was listed by the former Department of Environment in September 1980 as Grade II, of special interest. The department dated the property as 17th and 18th century with later modifications. The front block comprises two storeys with attics and is built of brick, though the left had side has some timber framing. The roof is of modern clay tiles. The listing simply says Rear wing largely rebuilt. The earliest known depiction of the property is from about 1820 as can be seen from the picture at the head of the page. The Rating and Valuation Act 1925 specified that every building and piece of land in the country was to be assessed to determine its rateable value. Eaton Bray, like most of the county, was listed in 1927 and the valuer visiting the property [DV1/C202/87] found that it was owned and occupied by W. G. Chanin. 21

22 STABLE AT POPLAR FARM List Entry Number: Date first listed: 18-Oct-1995 Location: STABLE AT POPLAR FARM, HIGH STREET, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Stable with hayloft over one part. C17 or earlier, altered in mid C19. Timber-framed, clad in weatherboarding on brick plinth. Roof covered in asbestos sheeting. Wooden stable doors, openings to hayloft and windows with ventilating shutters on ground floor. Interior has 6 bays of which 3 are stabling. Wall frame has curved tension braces to end but diagonal braces to sides. Original queenposts but through purlins and rafters are C19. Very complete C19 stable fittings, including wooden stall partitions, mangers, saddle brackets, loose box, wooden feeding boxes and brick floors. In October 1995 English Heritage listed a stable with a hayloft over as Grade II, of special interest. This dates from the 17th century or earlier, though it was altered in the mid 19th century, presumably as the farmhouse was being built. It is timber-framed and clad in weatherboarding, standing on a brick plinth. The interior has six bays of which three were stabling. 22

23 METHODIST CHURCH List Entry Number: Date first listed: 19-Feb-1991 Location: METHODIST CHURCH, TOTTERNHOE ROAD, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest. Methodist Church. 1795, enlarged 1806 and 1829, improved 1864 (datestones). Red brick in Flemish bond with stuccoed dressings, returns rendered; Welsh slate roof. 2 storeys, 3 x 3 bays, with later C19 rear addition. West elevation: plinth; giant end pilasters linked by eaves cornice. Openings round-arched, the architraves with imposts and moulded archivolts, doorways with keystones, windows with shouldered jambs and projecting sills. End entrances have panelled doors and fanlights; below central ground-floor window is marble 1st World War Memorial. Central 1st-floor window has date plaque. Roof hipped. Returns: full-height round-arched architraves enclose ground and 1st-floor windows. Interior: gallery around 3 sides on slender columns with panelled front; wall panelling, panelled doors, and panelled box peirs of 1864; roof has braced king-post trusses aid 1864 board underdrawing. Wall monument to James Bottoms, d 1817, and his wife, d

24 BARN AND ATTACHED SHELTER SHED AT POPLAR FARM List Entry Number: Date first listed: 09-Feb-2000 Location: BARN AND ATTACHED SHELTER SHED AT POPLAR FARM, HGH STREET, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire Barn and attached shelter shed. Barn is C18, much rebuilt mid-late C19. Timber frame, mostly of C18 construction, with C19-C20 weatherboard cladding and C19 brick plinth. C19 slate roof on raised eaves. 4 bays. Cart entry to left of centre, with board door adjacent to left. C20 garage doors inserted into left bay. Interior: C18 frame is largely intact to rear and left gable walls, with mid-rails, down bracing and some original studs. Braced tiebeams, some braces curved. Many timbers are C16-C17 re-used. Front wall and right gable are extensively reworked. C19 roof structure with raking queen struts, collars, clasped purlins and ridgeboard. Shelter shed is mid-late C19 and backs onto gable wall of barn. Other rear and end walls are C19 brick. Open front with timber posts. Hipped slate roof on machine-cut king-post trusses. Rough wooden feeding troughs and low mangers. Extension to front of shelter is not of special interest. Included for group value with Stable at Poplar Farm (item 10026). In February 2000 a barn was also listed as Grade II. This is 18th century, though rebuilt in the mid or late 19th century. It has a timber frame with later weather boarded cladding and stands on a 19th century brick plinth. Inside it is considered that many of the timbers date from the 16th or 17th century and have thus been reused. 24

25 PARK FARM MOATED SITE, DEER PARK AND FISHPONDS List Entry Number: Date first scheduled: 23-Apr-1958 Date of most recent amendment: 01-Nov-1995 Location: Park Farm, The rye, Eaton Bray, Central Bedfordshire This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Reasons for Designation Around 6,000 moated sites are known in England. They consist of wide ditches, often or seasonally waterfilled, partly or completely enclosing one or more islands of dry ground on which stood domestic or religious buildings. In some cases the islands were used for horticulture. The majority of moated sites served as prestigious aristocratic and seigneurial residences with the provision of a moat intended as a status symbol rather than a practical military defence. The peak period during which moated sites were built was between about 1250 and 1350 and by far the greatest concentration lies in central and eastern parts of England. However, moated sites were built throughout the medieval period, are widely scattered throughout England and exhibit a high level of diversity in their forms and sizes. They form a significant class of medieval monument and are important for the understanding of the distribution of wealth and status in the countryside. Many examples provide conditions favourable to the survival of organic remains. The moated site at Park Farm is an exceptionally well preserved example of a large, double island type. The islands retain the foundations of numerous structures, related to both the period of its original construction, and to the later development of the manor house. Despite the recent cleaning of the moat, the silts remaining within the lower parts of the ditches will contain both artefactual and environmental evidence pertaining to the period of occupation; and the western part of the moat surrounding the inner island remains undisturbed. The history of the site is well documented providing details of the date of construction, the original and subsequent owners, and inventories listing the various buildings located on the islands. The moated site is associated with the surrounding medieval deer park, and contemporary fishponds. Deer parks were areas of land set aside for the management and hunting of deer and other animals. Such parks frequently surrounded major houses, castles or palaces, and normally comprised areas of woodland and pasture provided a mixture of cover and grazing for the deer. Parks could contain a number of features including fishponds and warrens, and were usually surrounded by a park pale: a massive fenced or hedged boundary often accompanied by ditches. Although a small number of parks may have been established in the Anglo- Saxon period, it was the Norman aristocracy s taste for hunting which led to the majority being constructed. The peak period of construction, between AD 1200 and 1350, coincided with a time of considerable prosperity amongst the nobility. However, the popularity of the deer park waned in the 15th century, and by the end of the 17th century most were abandoned. The original number of deer parks constructed in England is unknown, but probably exceeded Deer parks were long lived, and those which now survive illustrate important aspects of the activities of the nobility. Where examples are well documented, and retain significant remains, the principal features are normally identified as nationally important. 25

26 The deer park surrounding the moated site at Park Farm is mentioned in documentary sources dating from the 13th century, and retains several well preserved sections of the park pale which illustrate its former extent. The sections of the bank retain evidence for the process of construction and the accumulated silts within the ditches provide conditions suitable for the preservation of artefacts related to the period of use. The deer park reflects the status of the associated moated site and provides information concerning the activities and lifestyle of its inhabitants. Furthermore, the construction of the deer park reflects a major change in land use, which may have involved the displacement of existing farming communities, evidence for which may survive in the buried land surfaces beneath the banks. Fishponds are artificially created pools of slow-moving fresh water constructed for the purpose of cultivating, breeding and storing fish in order to provide a constant and sustainable supply of food. The tradition of constructing and using fishponds began during the medieval period and reached a peak in the 12th century. Fishponds were often grouped together, either clustered or in line, and joined by leats; each pond being stocked with a different age or species of fish. They were largely the province of the wealthier sectors of society, and are considered particularly important as a source of information concerning the economy of various classes of medieval settlements and institutions. The fishponds constructed adjacent to the park pale surrounding Park Farm moated site remain well preserved, and retain many features related to the separation of the stock and systems of water management. The silts within the ponds (particularly the waterlogged deposits in the western example) will retain artefactual and environmental evidence relating to the period of use. The ponds represent an important component of the medieval landscape created to support and enhance the moated site, and are important evidence for the domestic economy of the household. Details The moated site at Park Farm lies on level ground some 4km to the north of the Chiltern Hills, and approximately 800m to the west of the village of Eaton Bray. The monument includes a large rectangular moated enclosure, containing a smaller circular moated island, located within the eastern part of a contemporary deer park defined by sections of the boundary earthworks. The monument also includes two fishponds, associated with the construction of the deer park and the occupation of the moated site, which lie on the eastern and north western perimeter of the park. It is protected in six separate areas. The outer moated enclosure measures 160m north east to south west by 120m north west to south east, surrounded by a water filled ditch which varies between 10m and 16m in width. The interior of the island is relatively level, although slight traces of former buildings are evident, particularly in the north eastern corner. Access to the island, which stands about 1m above the level of its surroundings, is provided by a 40m wide causeway spanning the northern end of the south eastern arm of the moat. The causeway overlies a T-shaped arrangement of ditches, noted in 1911, which were interpreted as the remains of an elaborate entrance structure. The second, circular enclosure occupies the north western quarter of the larger island, and measures about 60m in diameter. This island stands about 0.7m above the level of the outer enclosure and is surrounded by a ditch measuring between 20m and 35m in width, the western part of which is incorporated within the arm of the outer moat forming a pronounced bulge. The south eastern part of the inner ditch circuit has been reduced to a depth of about 1m by the gradual accumulation of silt, and is only partially wet. The circular moat is broken in two places. To the north a concrete dam and sluice has been constructed to regulate the level of the water, which is lower in the northern arm. The outlet channel (now a buried pipe) extends northwards from this point and joins with the adjacent brook. The eastern part of the inner moat, which was originally spanned by a drawbridge, has subsequently been infilled to provide a causeway. The surface of the inner island retains numerous minor undulations indicating the foundations of former structures, and fragments of brick are visible in the outward facing scarp around the western side. The construction of the moated site by William de Cantilowe is recorded in the Annals of Dunstable Priory 26

27 for Although frequently referred to as a `castle the moated site is best described as a fortified manor, although sufficiently imposing to have been considered a threat both to Dunstable and the surrounding countryside. The Inquisition Post Mortem at the death of William s successor in 1274 provides an inventory of the structures located on the islands, within the moats, which at the time were strengthened by walls and crossed by two drawbridges. The inner island contained an elaborate hall and a granary. The outer ward supported numerous outbuildings including stables for 60 horses. This document also mentions a `new chapel, which may represent the final fulfillment of a grant by Merton priory in The manor was rebuilt by the Bray family during the reign of Henry VIII, and the earlier hall on the inner island replaced by a building of three ranges. By 1675, when the then owner, Sir John Huxley, died, the manor was described as empty and in a considerable state of disrepair. Huxley s son undertook to repair the damage, and a trust deed dated c.1692 refers to a manor, now known as `Eaton Park House, surrounded by barns, stables and other outbuildings including a `stone dovehouse and a malthouse. The manor is depicted within the moat on Jeffrey s map of Bedfordshire in 1765, although it was finally demolished in By 1849 the site had been cleared of all standing remains, and the tithe map of that year records the moated enclosure as an area of pasture, termed `Park Gardens. In 1911, the earthworks within the moated enclosures were investigated by F Gurney who identified the outline of the Tudor hall within the eastern part of the round island. Further undulations adjacent to the inner edge of the east part of the moat, noted in 1911, and still just visible, are thought to indicate the location of the inner drawbridge. The earliest reference to the deer park occurs in the Close Rolls for In 1274, the documents of the Inquisition Post Mortem refer to 28 acres of woodland contained within a park, and the Hundred Rolls for the same year records a charge against Richard Clifford the king s officer, who took venison from the park whilst he held control of the estate following the death of George de Cantilowe. In 1911, the boundary earthworks (or pale) remained plainly visible around most of the park s perimeter, and enclosed an area of approximately 40ha. The park pale consisted of a bank flanked by two ditches, the outer of which is maintained by the line of the brook on the northern side of the moated site. The boundary continued for about 800m to the west of the farm buildings before turning to the south toward the line of the River Ouzel. It then flanked the northern side of the river for about 700m, then turning northwards and passing within 100m to the east of the outer moat. Only four sections of the park pale are now well preserved and clearly visible; the remainder of the circuit has been denuded by subsequent ploughing. These sections which are situated on each of the main sides of the park, allow the complete circuit to be inferred, and are included in the scheduling. A section of the northern boundary bank, 110m in length and 1.5m high, is located some 360m to the north east of the moated site. The bank has a flat surface, supporting an avenue of trees, and measures about 7m across. A narrow channel cut through the western part of the bank formed an outlet from an adjacent series of fishponds, the northernmost of which replaces the inner ditch. These ponds are described below. The outer ditch is now part of the brook which divides the modern fields. The western boundary is represented by a short section located within a copse some 420m west of the moated site. At this point the bank is about 7m wide and 0.5m high, flanked by both inner and outer ditches, which measure some 1.5m across and between 0.3m and 0.5m in depth. The line of the earthworks is resumed further to the south, extending for about 270m along the side of the River Ouzel some 350m to the south west of the moated site. The bank, 10m in width and 1.3m high, describes a long, sinuous curve, reflecting the earlier, meandering course of the river, depicted on Jeffrey s map of The boundary is rendered more imposing by the artificial truncation of the slope leading towards the river, extending the inner ditch, which measures between 2m and 7m in width. Towards the eastern end of this section, the outer ditch which measures about 2m across and O.5m deep, has been superseded by the subsequent alterations to the river. A 10m wide causeway spans the ditches about 100m from the eastern end of the earthworks, and corresponds to a break in bank which is thought to represent an original entrance to the park. The eastern boundary remains clearly visible over a length of about 100m near the eastern side of a post-medieval pond situated some 130m to the south east of the moated site. The bank here measures about 6m across and 0.8m high, flanked by the two ditches each measuring between 2m and 3m in width and averaging 0.4m in depth. The line of the park pale remains just 27

28 discernible extending for about 80m across the pasture to the north. This section, however, has been reduced by later ploughing to a maximum height of c.0.1m, and is therefore not included in the scheduling. There are several ponds located around the perimeter of the park, two of which are considered to be medieval fishponds, contemporary with occupation of the manor. The fishpond which lies 40m to the east of the moated site was recorded as containing water on the 1847 tithe map. However, it had been largely infilled by the time of Gurney s investigations in 1911, and now remains visible as a series of shallow depressions which mark the extent of the buried features. It consists of a rectangular pond measuring 28m north to south by 18m east to west, the south western corner of which is connected to a second, linear pond which extends some 40m to the east. A narrow spur which extends about half way across this junction is considered to represent the remains of a dam or sluice. This linear pond has a maximum width of approximately 7m and gradually tapers to a width of 3m at the eastern end where it abuts a series of minor earthworks marking the position of the park pale. A series of connected channels and ponds which lies adjacent to the surviving section of the boundary earthworks on the northern part of the park s perimeter, was first identified as a fishpond complex in It consists of three ponds arranged within a triangular area, contained by a low bank around all but the northern side. The northern pond is approximately 5m wide and 88m in length. It flanks the inner edge of the park pale bank and was formerly supplied with water via a narrow channel which extends for about 12m from the eastern end. A 6m wide, flat topped bank separates this pond from the central pond in the complex, located immediately to the south. This central pond is roughly triangular in plan, measuring about 40m in length, and with a maximum width of 16m. The southern side of the central pond is defined by a similar bank, c.1.2m in height, which extends around the western edge of the feature allowing a 3m wide supply channel linked to the northern pond. The third pond, which is about 31m in length and 7m wide, flanks the southern edge of this bank and is connected at the western end to a rectangular extension, 25m in width, which extends to the south of the northern pond. The water levels in the ponds were originally regulated by a narrow outlet channel cut through the boundary bank at the western corner of the complex. The ponds are now about 1m deep and contain deep deposits of waterlogged silt. The following items are excluded from the scheduling: the wooden platforms around the edge of the moat and the concrete dam, all fences and fence posts, and the wooden structures built on the line of the park pale to the west of the moated site, and on the banks separating the western fishponds; although the ground beneath these features is included. Selected Sources Books and journals Godber, J, History of Bedfordshire, (1969), 129 Rickards, V, Thunder, C, The Victoria History of the County of Bedfordshire, (1912) Williams, S, The Victoria History of the County of Bedfordshire, (1912), 370 BHRS Transcripts in Bedford Historic Record Society Transcripts,, Vol. 19, (1937), Gurney, F G, Eaton Bray in The Frederick Gurney Collection, (1912), 149 Gurney, F G, Eaton Bray in The Frederick Gurney Collection, (1912), 185 Other Held by Bucks Museum Service, Gurney, F G, The Notebooks of Frederick Gurney, (1912) Parish of Eaton Bray Tithe Map, Heard, W, CRO MAT 13, (1849) Parish of Eaton Bray, Tithe Map, Heard, W, CRO MAT 13, (1849) Sketch in Gurney s notebook, Gurney, F G, CRO X325/146 & 137, (1911) Title: Map of Bedfordshire (1765) Source Date: 1765 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Title: MAT 13 Tithe Map: Eaton Bray Source Date: 1849 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Map and Award Title: Ordnance Survey 25 Series Source Date: 1880 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: 28

29 Title: Ordnance Survey 25 Series Source Date: 1902 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Title: Ordnance Survey 25 Series Source Date: 1925 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Title: Ordnance Survey 25 Series Source Date: 1925 Author: Publisher: Surveyor: Trust Deed, CRO AD 3880, (1692) National Grid Reference: SP , SP , SP , SP , SP , SP