Monument record MDO2443 - Shrunken medieval village, Shipton Gorge

Earthworks associated with the possible medieval manor house and settlement at Shipton Gorge are visible as earthworks in lidar imagery and were digitally plotted during the Marshwood Vale NMP project.

The manor of SHIPTON was crown property at the time of DOMESDAY but which some time after became the property of the MAUREWARDS and at the time of ED I the GORGES. From HEN VIs time until the early 17thc. It was owned by the COPLESTONES, and from 1619 became, part of the STRANGWAYS estates. "The mansion-house of the ancient lords of the manor, called COURT HOUSE, was near the church. In a meadow near it are signs .. Of ruins". <1>

The meadow is called COURT; the site of the manor house being in the N.E. corner, where there is a well <3.1>.

The site of COURT HOUSE is grass covered, and there is no visible masonry or a true building platform, although an E.-W. Scarp 2.0 m. wide and 0.7 m. high is situated 20.0 m. wide and 0.7 m. high is situated 20.0 m. S. of the siting symbol. This scarp is approximately 50.0m. Long, half of it falling in the field to the E. A disused stone lined well of uncertain age is 12.0m. N.W. of the site. There are a few very poorly defined platforms and enclosures in COURT field, and a N.-S. hollow way 7.0m. Wide and 0.5m. Deep, which seem to indicate past occupation of the field, poss. Contemporary with the house. <3>

Earthworks associated with the possible medieval manor house and settlement at Shipton Gorge are visible as earthworks in lidar imagery and were digitally plotted during the Marshwood Vale NMP project <4>. The site comprises a series of low earthwork banks and ditches over an area of 6 hectares forming a series of enlongated enclosures and fields which may be associated with the medieval manor house.

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 283 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1930 (Map). SWX1540.

[SY 49739143] COURT HOUSE [GT] (Site of)

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 06-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3.1> Higgs, Mr M, Oral: Mr M Higgs (occupier), Manor Dairy, Shipton Gorge, 5.5.55 (Verbal communication). SDO19124.

<4> Environment Agency, 2010, Lidar DTM, sy4991se_dtm_50cm.asc (Aerial Photograph). SDO13148.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450177 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 2:27PM