Building record 559/1/2 - Bradlegh Old Hall moated site and fishpond

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Summary

Bradlegh Old Hall was originally a 15th century moated manor house. The present Grade II* listed structure is late 16th century (with possible earlier features) but was cased in brick in the late 18th century. Today only the fortified gatehouse and moat remain of the medieval manor house. Records show that the site passed to the Legh family through marriage in the early 15th century. In 1466 it was owned by Sir Peter Legh III who was responsible for the building of a fine new hall, three new rooms, a fine parlour, new kitchen, bakehouse and brewhouse together with a new stone tower above the well defended gate, and a fine chapel all built by Sir Peter legh. In addition there was an old chamber called the knights chamber. All were surrounded by a palisaded ditch with a drawbridge. There is a narrow L-shaped fishpond to the west of the moat. Fishponds were often part of large estates or monasteries in medieval times. Fish was an important part of the diet for the rich, particularly for those in religious houses where abstinence from meat was frequently required. Bradlegh Old Hall is a well preserved moated sites. Moated Sites are characterised by a waterlogged ditch that encloses a platform of land where buildings were built though they were also used for horticulture e.g. orchards. They were most popular in medieval times though not necessarily for the defensive advantages of being on an island as they were also seen as a sign of prestige. There are approximately 6000 across England with over 200 moated sites in Cheshire alone.

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Type and Period (5)

Full Description

Bradlegh Old Hall was originally a 15th century manor house. Only the fortified gatehouse and moat remain (1). The main moat has an annex to the west (2). The gatehouse is faced with wrought stone and has been covered with a fan vault of two bays, the springers of which remain. It is approached by a stone bridge across the moat (3). Ruined gatehouse c.1460 of red and yellow sandstone. Listed building II*. Modern earth causeway across a moat (4). Full architectural description refs (4) and (5). Hall stands on rect island c58 x 52m surr by waterlogged moat c12-14m wide and 1.4m deep. Water enters by W arm and exits via E. N arm has been modified at W end to give width of c25m. Access is via modern causeway over N arm leading to gatehouse, replacing earlier stone bridge. Short distance to W of moat is a narrow L-shaped fishpond, its N arm measuring 60m long by 8m wide, and its W arm measuring c30m by 8m before opening out at its S end into a sub-rect dry hollow c20m x 14m x 1.5m deep. (6)

Bradlegh Old Hall is amongst the best surviving examples of moated sites in the hundred. The 15th century gatehouse though roofless still contains remnants of its fluted vaulting. It is now approached over a stone bridge. Apart from the gatehouse there is now only one building on the platform, close to the south arm of the ditch. It is timber framed on a sandstone plinth but all detail is masked by 19th century brickwork and recent pebble dash. The moat width is c.15m. It is complete as shown on the tithe map.(7).


<1> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 51/123 Hodgkinson A 1936 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<2> Farrer W & Brownbill J, 1906-14, The Victoria County History of the County of Lancaster, 2/547 1908 (Book). SCH3636.

<3> Farrer W & Brownbill J, 1906-14, The Victoria County History of the County of Lancaster, 3/327-8 1907 (Book). SCH3636.

<4> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /1/4 (Report). SCH1934.

<5> Department for the Environment, Various, Provisional List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /2/1/8 1962 (Report). SCH2744.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 13479 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<6> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 13479 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<7> Lewis J, 2000, The Medieval Earthworks of the Hundred of West Derby, /207 (Monograph). SCH3778.

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <1> Journal/Periodical: Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society. 1883 -. Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society. 51/123 Hodgkinson A 1936.
  • <2> Book: Farrer W & Brownbill J. 1906-14. The Victoria County History of the County of Lancaster. 2/547 1908.
  • <3> Book: Farrer W & Brownbill J. 1906-14. The Victoria County History of the County of Lancaster. 3/327-8 1907.
  • <4> Report: Department of the Environment. 1971-2005. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. N/A. /1/4.
  • <5> Report: Department for the Environment. Various. Provisional List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. N/A. /2/1/8 1962.
  • <6> Scheduling Record: English Heritage. Various. Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment). 13479.
  • <6> Scheduling Record: English Heritage. Various. Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description). 13479.
  • <7> Monograph: Lewis J. 2000. The Medieval Earthworks of the Hundred of West Derby. BAR British Series No.310. /207.

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Location

Grid reference SJ 571 938 (point) 8 Figure Ref
Map sheet SJ59SE
Civil Parish BURTONWOOD, WARRINGTON
Historic Township/Parish/County BURTONWOOD, WARRINGTON, LANCASHIRE

Protected Status/Designation

Record last edited

May 17 2022 4:29PM