More information : [SK 4494 6568] Moat [GT]. (1)
The manor of Stainsby, "...... originally spelt Steinesbi, is
named, I think, in the Domesday Book .." In 1258, held by
William de Steynesby; came into the possession of the De Hardwick
family soon after 1330; and 19 Henry VIII, passed to the
Cavendish family.
The Manor House, which stood on the brow of the hill, ceased
to be used as a family seat (perhaps in the time of the Hardwicks)
and may have been used for a time as a farmhouse or at once
demolished, the material being used for the building or repair of
Hardwick Hall [SK 46 SE 1].
Of Steynesby Hall nothing remains. A cottage and a school room
stand on the site. On the hill, a little below, are distinct
traces of a fosse or ditch. (2)
Stainsby Hall, Ault Hucknall, for many generations the home of
the Savage family, has a small piece of the old moat remaining,
of semi-circular shape. (3)
The school is known as STAINSBY COUNTY SCHOOL and was built
c. 1890. The headmaster's house is known as THE MANOR HOUSE and
a 19th c. watercolour in the possession of the EASTWOODS(b)-
formerly manorial lords - of which I have a copy seems to show
this as part of an L-shaped building with mullioned windows.
Digging the garden on the site of the destroyed wing reveals
stone and foundations. Local tradition says that the surviving
building was the granary and brewhouse of the manor-house.
Nothing definite is known about the earthworks - they are locally
accepted as a moat. Subsidence has badly affected the area. (4)
The Manor House is a long, rectangular, building of irregularly
coursed stone largely rebuilt with modern windows. A fine cruck
is preserved towards the south end of the building but the
details are hidden by the building. It lacks a tie-beam.
There is no other evidence of the Md. building. The earthworks
shown to the north of the school comprise two obvious banks
separated by an apparent ditch. The inner bank can be traced,
extremely mutilated, on all sides of the Manor House and school.
The outer bank and ditch end abruptly on the east and west. Beyond
the hedgerows on the west side of the school the area has been
open-cast quarried.
The hedgerow to the north and east of the school apears to be
placed on a slight bank which follows the curve of the more obvious
banks suggesting that it is part of the earth works. No
continuation of its south or west ends can be traced. No certain
identification of these earth works can be made. They are probably
the remains of an irregular homestead moat but it is possible
that there may have been a motte-and-bailey here.
A 25" AM survey has been made. (5)
The topographical situation of the ditch is such as to render
it impossible for it to have been water-filled obstacle.
As suggested by authority 5 there may have been a motte and
bailey or ring castle here, or the site may have simply been a
defended hill. However, the eastern terminal of the main ditch
is so abrupt as to suggest the probability that the major
earthwork was never completed. (6)
No change. (7)
Stainsby Manor House. Only the earthworks of the defensive ditch,
rampart and fishpond of the former manor house are visible. The
manor house probably underlies the Victorian school building and
adjacent school house which incorporates a cruck frame. (8)
SK 449656. Stainsby Manor House. Two cruck trusses. Listed in
survey. (9)
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