More information : [SU 3810 9444] Grange [G.T.] (Remains of) (1) The manor house at Charney Bassett, originally a grange of Abingdon Abbey, still retains important remains of late thirteenth century work. The north wing is modern and the central range was rebuilt in the sixteenth century, but the south wing is little altered and consists of the solar, with a chapel and undercroft projecting from the east end. Some of the outbuildings are possibly medieval. (2-3) The "Charney Manor" is now used as an hotel but is structurally unaltered, retaining good examples of 13th and 16th c. building. The outbuildings have been rebuilt and incorporate no work of Mediaeval date. For photograph of south wing see GP AO/64/85/3. (4)
Charney Manor. An important surviving example of a late C13 solar and undercroft with attached chapel. C17 wing with later alterations and additions. Grade I. (5)
The south wing is late C13 solar wing of a hall-house. The centre, where the hall was, and the north wing are a C19 Tudor building. (6)
Dates from c.1280. A detailed description of the building is given, with a plan and photos. (7)
Benedictine; some details of documentary history of the manor are given. The original hall had a fine chimney stack of late-medieval date. (8)
Excavations to the west of the solar wing uncovered foundations and yielded pottery from early C13 onwards, together with bone and charcoal. The excavations were not complete and there is discussion as to whether the exposed footings were of a separate building or an extension of the solar wing. (9)
Charney is shown as having been a principal demesne manor of Abingdon Abbey estates in 1086 and c.1350. It is the oldest surviving manor house, and Charney was held by the Abbey at least since the early C9. The abbot was resident in 1322, but the manor was leased out after 1494. The medieval hall survived until at least 1811, but this range was rebuilt incorporating part of the medieval east wall. The north wing was rebuilt in 1858, re-using some C13 fragments. A table is given showing the abbey estate to have had a church/parochial chapel and a corn mill at Charney Bassett. (10)
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