Monument record 976/1 - Peel Hall moated site, Kingsley

<1> Hanshall, J. H., 1817-1823, The History of the County Palatine of Chester, /453 (Y) (Book). SCH1382.

Peel Hall - a moated mansion & an ancient seat of the Ardernes, was extant in 1663. A house has been built on the site by George Whitley (1). In 1964 the moat was water filled & lined with a stone wall, on average 1m high. It was well preserved

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ57NW14/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 2/100 (N) (Book). SCH1389.

<4> Fletcher Moss, 1901, Pilgrimages in Cheshire & Shropshire, /166 (Book). SCH2638.

<5> Lysons D & Lysons S, 1806-22, Magna Britannia, Lysons D & S 1810 2/667 (Book). SCH2066.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13461 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

The island, which is occupied by Peel Hall, is c35m square and stands above surrounding field level. Spring-fed waterlogged moat is c9m wide and 1.8m deep and lined with a sandstone wall. 2 ornate bridges, across NW & SW arms. Monument has been landscaped with addition of ornamental circular island close to the W corner, accessed via a footbridge. Peel Hall was seat of Ardernes family & was burnt down sometime after 1663. New house built which was replaced by present building c1840.

<7> Chester Archaeological Society, 2021, Chester Antiquary, Issue 1. A Fourteenth-Century ‘Pele’ in Delamere Forest. (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH9022.

Extract from a translation Cheshire Forest Eyre roll, 1347 of The roll states: Rose de Venables enclosed a half-acre piece of waste, not cultivated, in le Whytemor in the township of Kingsley, in
the earl of Chester’s fee, in a tryst (hunting station) which is not permitted. She constructed next to it a Peele without warrant, again not permitted. She proffered a fine of 40s. 0d. For the enclosure, and that the pele be allowed to stand. [Translated from Latin].
Cheshire Forest Eyre roll, 1347. TNA CHES 33/4 m 15.

Forest law forbade any alteration to the landscape, such as enclosures, that prevented the free movement of deer, hence the large fine paid. The pele was most likely a tower house, similar to Wraysholme Tower in historic north Lancashire, and was almost certainly built not long before the 1347 eyre. The moat now surrounding the house must date from after 1357, otherwise it would have been mentioned in the 1357 eyre. Wide ditches were serious threats to the lives of deer, and were stamped down on very hard by forest courts