Reasons for Designation
A monastic grange was a farm owned and run by a monastic community and independent of the secular manorial system of communal agriculture and servile labour. The function of granges was to provide food and raw materials for consumption within the parent monastic house itself, and also to provide surpluses for sale for profit. No region was without monastic granges. The exact number of sites which originally existed is not precisely known but can be estimated, on the basis of numbers of monastic sites, at several thousand. Of these, however, only a small percentage can be accurately located on the ground today. Of this group of identifiable sites, continued intensive use of many has destroyed much of the evidence of archaeological remains. In view of the importance of granges to medieval rural and monastic life, all sites exhibiting good archaeological survival are identified as nationally important.
The Monastic grange to the south of Manor Farm, is well preserved. The monument retains valuable information relating to its layout and also its construction, use and abandonment. This monument adds to our understanding of medieval society and economy, providing an insight into two significant medieval organisations: the Orders of the Knights Templars and Hospitallers.
Details
This monument includes the earthworks of a medieval monastic grange situated on gently rising land on the north side of the village of Etton. The grange survives as a series of low earthworks and buried deposits spread across a rectangular enclosure around 150m north to south and 85m east to west, all enclosed by a substantial bank which stands up to nearly 2m high and 5m wide.
Partial excavation during the 1960's revealed cobbled roadways, granaries, a central hall and a brewhouse dating to the mid 13th century when the grange belonged to the Knights Templars. The Knights Templars held considerable property in Etton belonging to their Preceptory at Faxfleet. Documentary sources indicate that the grange, which included a chapel, later became a manor. The site was abandoned as a result of the dissolution of the Order of the Knights Templars in 1314 but then subsequently passed into the hands of the Knights Hospitallers as a manor, holding it until the dissolution of their Order in 1541. The excavations showed that during this second period, further buildings, including new roadways, granaries, brewhouse and hall were constructed.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
ER 189
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
