More information : (TL 73149491) Old Hall (AT) (Site Of) (1)
In Methwold the Earl de Warenne's estate was granted by the
Conquerer (his brother-in-law).
The foundations of the residence extend through two thirds of
the grass field "Hall Close" (also known as 'Duchy Meadow') to
the west of St George's Church. The outer bailey was to the east
of the castle or residence and a considerable portion of it was,
some years ago, taken into the churchyard. The inner bailey
occupied the space between it and the watercourse, which
appears to have been dammed. The wall of the present churchyard
is coped with the stones of the castle enclosure. The foundation
lines of the buildings can occasionally be seen from the top
of the church tower.
It is evident that at the dying out of the De Warennes - and the
lapsing of the property into Royal hands, the castle was either
intentionally demolished, or, not impossibly, the materials were
granted for the building of the church - or fell into rapid
decay.
On the opposite side of the stream are the square fishponds
known as 'The Sinks', and to the south of the ponds a dam.
(Article contains conjectural plan of 'castle' lay-out and
conjectural sketch). (2)
OS air cover 1972 shows building foundations at, and adjacent
to the published site, local query confirmed the field name
'Hall Close' and it is also generally known locally that, in a
dry summer, the 'plan of the castle' can be seen from the
church tower.
The site is now a levelled playing field; there are neither
structural remains nor earthworks visible and the churchyard
coping could not be identified as to source. No historical
reference to an authenticated Norman castle was found, but the
air photographs certainly indicate a building of considerable
spread, the remains of which, have doubtless been incorporated
into the many ancient stone buildings in the village.
Two fishponds were identified at TL 72929501 and TL 72979502,
both are now under rough pasture. To the south of the ponds a
very disturbed area possibly indicates the sites of others but
none could positively be identified nor could the dam be
traced.
Ponds surveyed at 1:2500. (3)
See illustration card. (4)
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