Belasis Hall

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameBelasis Hall
Alternative NamesBellasis
Historic CountryDurham
Modern AuthorityStockton on Tees
1974 AuthorityCleveland
Civil ParishBillingham

Site of a medieval moated manor house known as Bellasis Hall, now only visible on aerial photographs. Possibly a strong house. (PastScape)

Belasis Hall has a moat of irregular form, well defined on the south and east sides. (VCH 1905)

Gatehouse Comments

The manor seems to have come to Durham Priory in the C13 and after this was leased to many and various tenants. Before then was held by the Belasis family, of knightly status but seem to have have had limited lands and only local significance. The tenurial history is not really consistent with a fortified house. The location was probably marshy in the medieval period and it may be the 'irregular' moat was actually relicts of drainage ditches and fish ponds. Although the actual site of the house does not ever seen to have been built upon the surrounding area was subject to much early C20 development as housing estates, now clearer away (presumably because of the danger from nearby chemical plant), and a pipe line now crosses the site.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNZ479230
Latitude54.600269317627
Longitude-1.25960004329681
Eastings447930
Northings523040
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles and Tower Houses of County Durham (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 63 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 140 (Strong house)
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1928, VCH Durham Vol. 3 p. 195 online transcription
  • Gould, Chalkley, 1905, 'Ancient Earthworks' in Page, Wm (ed), VCH Durham Vol. 1 (London) p. 356 online copy