| Summary : Ightham Mote is a medieval moated manor house built around a central courtyard plan. It is the most complete small medieval manor house in the county. The earliest stone buildings were all built within a few years of each other and date from between 1340-60. They comprise of an open hall, two solar ranges and a chapel. In the late 15th century the west range was built and in the 16th and 17th centuries the core of the rest of the site was completed. There are ornamental ponds above the moat which most likely were fish or supply ponds.The earliest known owner of the Mote is Sir Thomas Cawne, in the third quarter of the 14th century. In the 15th century it belonged to the Hauts. Richard Haut was Sheriff of Kent in 1478 and 1483, but forfeited his estates at the death of Edward IV. His son recuperated them and then, circa 1506, sold Ightham Mote to Sir Richard Clement. Late in the 16th century it passed to the Selby family. |
More information : [TQ 5846 5347] Ightham Mote [NR] (1)
Ightham Mote - a roughly square house, built round a centre
courtyard, with its outer walls rising, for the most part, straight
out of the water of the moat which surrounds it: early 14th century with 16th century and 17th century additions. (2)
Ightham Mote: a medieval and later moated manor house occupied and in good condition. Ornamental ponds above the moat undoubtedly represent former fish or supply ponds.
Published 25" survey correct.
(Pamphlet supplied.) (3)
Ightham Mote, Grade I, Mote Road (east side). House, present building dates at least from circa 1340-1360. Moated.
Stable Building 20 yards to east of Ightham Mote, Grade II, Mote Road (east side). Late 19th century.
Gates, Gatepiers and Mounting Block to south-west of Ightham Mote, Grade II, Mote Road (east side). Early 19th century.
Garden Urn 30 yards west of Ightham Mote, Grade II, Mote Road (east side). Late 18th century. Stone.
(For full descriptions see list.) (4)
[TQ 584 535] Moated site listed in checklist. (5-6)
Ightham Mote is the most complete small medieval manor house in the county. The earliest known owner of the Mote is Sir Thomas Cawne, in the third quarter of the 14th century. However the kernel of the house is older than that. In the 15th century it belonged to the Hauts. Richard Haut was Sheriff of Kent in 1478 and 1483, but forfeited his estates at the death of Edward IV. His son got them back, lost them again, and the grandson, as soon as he came of age, circa 1506, sold Ightham Mote to Sir Richard Clement. Late in the 16th century it passed to the Selbys. (Full architectural description of Mote as Authority 4.) (7)
Detailed architectural account and plans; Selby family tree.(8-13)
Ightham Mote: Politics and architecture in Tudor England. (14)
RCHME survey. (15)
Listed as a strong house by Cathcart King. (16)
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