| Summary : The remains of a large medieval moated site and part of the surrounding pattern of medieval cultivation earthworks. The moated site includes two main islands arranged side by side. Both are similar in size and roughly square in plan, and together they cover a rectangular area measuring about 180 metres from north to south by 90 metres transversely. The northern island contains several broad platforms and numerous minor undulations reflecting the buried foundations of former structures. The southern island, which may have served as an outer courtyard, is largely level. The south eastern corner is isolated by a narrow adjunct from the main ditch which defines a small rectangular enclosure measuring about 40 metres by 20 metres. The field to the south and west of the moated site contains traces of two furlongs from a medieval open field system which is orientated with the moated site and clearly contemporary with its use. This relationship is particularly noticeable to the south where the pattern of ridge and furrow terminates in a broad headland alongside the moat in order to allow sufficient space to turn the plough team. The moated site has been identified as the possible medieval manor of Broughton Staveley, or Hollands Manor, which may have been established on lands given to Missenden Abbey in the first half of the 12th century. |
More information : (SP 847134) Moat (NR) (1)
"A double-moated site at Broughton Farm, with the ditch, now
dry and much denuded. There is a rampart for some distance
along the eastern arm".
Traces of foundations of what was possibly an ecclesiastical
building are visible within the northern moated enclosure.
Worked stones found on the site are now in the garden of the
farm.
They are 15th century, and include part of a pillar of an
arcade, and pieces of the moulded jamb of a large window. (2)
Sheahan mentions foundation stones being dug up and actually
used in the construction of the farmhouse. Shortly prior to 1862,
Mr Richard Fowler, the tenant, discovered a subterraneous
passage, which he explored for twenty yards. A coin of Queen
Mary, a spur and stirrup-iron of the time of Henry VIII, and
a quantity of animal bones were also found by him. (3)
Land in Broughton was given to Missenden Abbey in the first half
of the 12th century which afterwards formed the manor of
Broughton Magna or Abbots Broughton. It was held until the
dissolution in 1538. (4)
A large number of pottery fragments, an iron key, spoons, tiles
etc from the reputed site of the monastry at Broughton are in
Bucks Co Museum. Objects dated and identified by the Victoria
and Albert Museum. (5)
A suspected, but now rejected DMV site.
Now considered to be a moated manor. (6)
The remains of a large homestead moat comprising a double
enclosure 200.0m by 110.0m and up to 2.0m deep, with a smaller
enclosure in the SE corner, c50.0m square. The northern part of
the E arm is waterfilled though marshy. Much ground disturbance
within the moats is probably the result of soil digging, which
has in parts destroyed the moat and any features within the
enclosures.
Resurveyed at 1:2500. (7)
No change from report of 28.2.72.
A small manorial complex under permanent pasture. No surface
finds were made during perambulation nor is there evidence
of a "subterranean passage" (possibly a Medieval drain).
No early fabric is identifiable in the farmhouse (now occupied)
athough the worked stones described by authority 2 stand by
the front door - they cannot be described as ecclesiastic.
Surveyed on MSDs at 1:2500 and 1:1250 in relative quadrant. (8)
|