Aldworth, De La Beche

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are no visible remains

NameAldworth, De La Beche
Alternative Names
Historic CountryBerkshire
Modern AuthorityWest Berkshire
1974 AuthorityBerkshire
Civil ParishAldworth

Beche Farm stands on the site of the castle of the De La Beche family, possibly erected in the reign of Edward III, when a licence to crenellate the manor house was granted in 1338. Excavations have revealed medieval foundations, and the line of the moat is marked by one or two small ponds. There are no remains of what was evidently a fortified manor house rather than a castle, and no indications of a moat. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The assumption this house was fortified may be due to preconceptions as to what a licence to crenellate meant rather than physical evidence. The prehistoric Grim's Ditch would have formed the northern boundary of the property although this seems to have been reduced rather than deepened or extended to defend the house. The ponds mentioned in the PastScape report are within the Grim's Ditch.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSU553784
Latitude51.5014305114746
Longitude-1.20280003547668
Eastings455380
Northings178400
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Calculate Print

Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of The Thames Valley and The Chilterns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 18
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 12
  • Braun, H., 1936, The English Castle p. 103
  • Page, Wm and Ditchfield, P.H. (eds), 1924, VCH Berkshire Vol. 4 p. 3-5 online transcription
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Mackenzie, J.D., 1896, Castles of England; their story and structure (New York: Macmillan) Vol. 1 p. 169 online copy
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 412 online copy
  • Lysons, D. and S., 1806, Magna Britannia Vol. 1 p. 232-3

Antiquarian

Journals

  • 1933, Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 19 p. 213

Primary Sources

  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1898, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1338-40) Vol. 4 p. 24 online copy