More information : (SK 560092) Castle Hill. Ancient Earthworks (NR) (1)
Beaumont Leys, an extra-parochial hamlet about 2 miles NW of Leicester (and adjacent to the earthworks) containing about 700 acres enclosed with pales, once belonged to the Earls of Leicester and was granted to the Templars by Simon de Montfort. After the suppression of the Templars it was given to the Hospitallers. 4 households noted in 1505. In Nichols time (circa 1811) it consisted of 2 capital farmhouses and a cottage. (2)
The above information suggests that the Castle Hill earthworks have a medieval origin, though more likely to be manorial than the empaled enclosure of the hamlet itself. There is a large fishpond (typically medieval) to the north of them. The site has, within the last two weeks, been `rotavated' for drainage and consequential damage has been considerable. At no place does the perimeter rampart exceed 0.7m and the ditch has been completely obliterated apart from the north-east and south-east corners. No finds were reported during the rotavation. Three individual mounds are visible, though their original purpose cannot now be determined. Published survey (1:2500 1956) revised. (3) SK 5650 0926. Preceptory, boundary, two mounds, fishpond and dam at Beaumont Leys. Scheduled. The preceptory is situated within a sub-rectangular enclosure measuring 200m x 150m overall and is formed by a bank up to 1.5m high and an outer ditch about 0.5m deep. An irregular surface exists internally containing two mounds each about 1m high and 12m in diameter. To the east and parallel to the enclosure is a further bank and ditch running north-south. the boundary runs for almost 300m, with the bank about 0.5m high and the ditch 0.5m deep and formed part of a former boundary to control stock movement. A stream situated to the west of the preceptory enclosure was dammed to the north to form a large fishpond, now a marshy area, 100m x 75m with a small island formerly used for breeding water-fowl. The dam measures over 100m long and up to 3m high and 8m wide; a division in the centre marks a former sluice gate. The present stream runs to the west of the fishpond but the original channel can be seen as discolouration of vegetation south of the pond.
In 1252, Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester granted Beaumont Leys to the Knights Templars but the lands were seized by the King in 1308. The land was then granted to the Knights Hospitallers until 1482 when it was exchanged with Edward IV for the Rectory of Boston. The land is described as being surrounded by a pale and the area is later described as being a park. Comparison of an excavated Templar house at South Witham indicates that below ground features of the preceptory buildings exist around the perimeter of the enclosure, originally forming a courtyard in the centre. (4)
"Beaumont, Leics. Under Dalby in 1338: v Larking,63,65." Listed under The Knights Hospitallers as a manor or camera is the only reference to the site in Knowles and Hadcock.(5) |