Reasons for Designation
Manorial centres were important foci of medieval rural life. They served as
prestigious aristocratic or seigneurial residences, the importance of their
owners and inhabitants being reflected in the quality and elaboration of their
buildings. Local agricultural and village life was normally closely regulated
by the lord of the manor, and hence the inhabitants of these sites had a
controlling interest in many aspects of medieval life. Manorial sites could
take on many forms. Their buildings normally included a hall used as communal
space for domestic and administrative purposes, private chambers, service and
storage areas and kitchens (which were often housed in separate structures to
reduce fire risk). The wider manorial complex may often have included stables,
barns, stores, dovecots, fishponds, and enclosures for orchards and gardens.
In many areas of the country the buildings were located within a moat, the
latter being intended to further enhance the status of the site. Other manors
were not moated, their status being indicated largely by the qualities of
their buildings or, like Seamer, their location in a prominent position. This
latter group of manorial centres are the most difficult to identify today
because the sites were not enclosed by major earthwork features, such as a
moat, many of which survive well, and the buildings often exhibited a fairly
unplanned layout which could extend over a large area. Continued use of sites
has also in many instances led to the destruction of medieval remains. Hence
examples of medieval manorial centres which can be positively identified and
shown to have extensive surviving archaeological remains are relatively rare.
The surviving ruins and substantial earthwork remains at Seamer manor are well
preserved. There is little evidence of post-demolition disturbance, and
archaeological deposits associated with the manorial centre will survive in
good condition.
Details
The monument includes the remains of the medieval manor at Manor Garth, Seamer
situated on the edge of the village on a low bluff overlooking low marshy
land. The remains consist of a section of upstanding medieval masonry which
was originally part of the manor house and further substantial earthwork
remains of both the manor house and associated manorial complex which dates to
the early 14th century.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28249
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
