Castlefacts³

Aldingham Grange

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

Name	Aldingham Grange
Alternative Names	Moat Farm
Historic Country	Lancashire
Modern Authority	Cumbria
1974 Authority	Cumbria
Civil Parish	Aldingham

Moat Farm moated site survives reasonably well and remains largely unencumbered by modern development. It will retain evidence for the building which originally occupied the island during the medieval centuries. Additionally organic material will be preserved among the mud and silts of the waterlogged moat. Its group relationship to the ringwork and motte at Aldingham also contributes to its importance.

The monument includes Moat Farm medieval moated site. It is located close to the sea shore a short distance north of Moat Hill (Aldingham motte and bailey castle, the subject of a separate scheduling) which it superseded as home of the Le Fleming family. It includes a rectangular island or platform surrounded by a waterlogged moat. The island has been raised slightly above the level of the surrounding land using the upcast from the digging of the moat, and measures approximately 32m east-west by 28m north-south. The surrounding moat measures c.13m-18m wide and 1.5m deep. The monument is thought to be the site of the medieval manor house of Michael Le Fleming, Lord of Aldingham, prior to the family's move to Gleaston Castle. (Scheduling Report)

About 100 yds due N of Aldingham Mote is a homestead moat. Probably the site of the early 12th cent manor house of Michael le Fleming. Apparently it never containing stone buildings (VCH; Curwen; F1 EG 16-JUN-58).

The moat ditch is complete and waterfilled, almost throughout. The interior shows no visual evidence of occupation (F2 FRH 18-JAN-67).

Moat Farm moated site; the island measures approximately 32m east-west by 28m north-south, the surrounding moat measures c13m-18m wide and 1.5m deep, scheduled (English Heritage SAM Amendment 18.10.95).

A medieval moat is visible as an earthwork on air photographs, centred at SD 2781 7003. The feature is sub-rectangular in shape and measures 28m by 30m

The feature is extant on the latest 1998 NMR oblique photography (Oblique aerial photograph reference number - NMR SD 2770/2 (17152/08) 24-AUG-1998). (PastScape)

12th century Square moated grange. Le Flemings in 1127. The land of Muchland.

Possibly replaced the Motte and was replaced by Gleaston (Curwen).

Held by Flemings of the Honour of Lancaster until 1227, thereafter held of the Abbot of Furness. De Harrington granted a licence to empark 1341. He died here 1363.

Housestead moat. Probably the site of an early 12th century manor house of Le Fleming. No traces of stonework (SMR record). (Perriam and Robinson 1998)

Gatehouse Comments

Is the C12 date for this square moat confirmed by archaeological evidence? It seems in the 19th century when the nature of the motte was not understood it was identifed as the site of the house of Le Fleming but it seems more likely the early Fleming house was in the bailey of Aldingham Motte which was abandoned in the mid-C13, presumably for this site. The 1227 change of overlordship may well be significant.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

38085

County Historic Environment Record

maps.cumbria.gov.uk/eggp/eggp.aspx?dept=Environment&scriptname=1%20Historic%20Environment

OS Map Grid Reference	SD278700
Latitude	54.1210517883301
Longitude	-3.10597991943359
Eastings	327814
Northings	470036