You are here: Home : Search : Search Results : Detailed Result
  |   Print   | More

THE MANOR OF THE MORE

DESCRIPTION + /

The buried remains of a great manor house of the late medieval period, overlying a 13th century moated site and with phases of enlargement in the Tudor period. Two main phases of occupation before and after 1426 have been demonstrated, when a royal license was granted for the construction of a large building, with a number of sub-periods of construction either side of that date. Three main periods of construction were identified prior to this date as well as three successive periods of adaption and aggrandisement. The earliest documentary reference to the site dates from circa 1182 when the Manor of the More was granted by the Abbot of St Albans to Adam Aignel. Excavations showed that by circa 1250-1300 (Period I) a small double island moated site had been constructed. The intervening arm, separating the two moats, was filled in around 1300-1350 (Period II) and partly overlain by a kitchen building. The construction work in Period III (c1350-1429) may coincide with the death of John Aignel in 1364 and saw the development of a new timber house on the northern island. This house was swept away in 1426 when Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester and others, obtained a charter licensing them to construct an elaborate moated manor house. The house, constructed shortly thereafter (period IV) overlay the former dwelling. In the 1460s the house passed to George Neville, Archbishop of York, who elaborated on the work of his predecessors up to 1472 (period V). In 1522 the manor was in the hands of Cardinal Wolsley and was greatly embellished (period VI) with the addition of new wings and formal gardens. In 1531, the year after the cardinal's fall from favour, the manor was aquired by Henry VIII. Catherine of Aragon was housed here in winter 1531-32 . Work continued on the complex (period VII), perhaps completing projects begun by Wolsey which include reversing the effects of neglect in the gardens. Other changes included creating King's and Queen's lodgings and a hunting park.

DETAIL + / -
MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES
 + / -
MONUMENT TYPES + / -
COMMENTS + / -
Please help us keep our information accurate let us know if you see any errors on this page.

Further information about monuments may be obtained by contacting NMR Enquiry and Research Services , through the English Heritage website.