Timberlake, Bayton

Description

Rectangular moated site at Timberlake, probably the site of a fortified manor first mentioned in 1260-1. (PastScape)

The manor of TYMBERLAKE (Tyndelak, Timberlac, xiii cent.) was not entered in the Domesday Survey, being then probably included in the manor of Bayton, as it was subsequently held of the manor of Abberley. The overlordship followed the descent of Abberley, being mentioned for the last time in 1611. The manor was held in socage by service of one sparrow-hawk.
In the 13th century the manor was held under Roger de Toeni by Henry Lovett of Elmley Lovett, after whose death it was claimed as dower in 1260–1 by his widow Joan and Robert Stocumbe, then her husband. Tymberlake then passed with Elmley Lovett to Henry's grandson Sir John Lovett, who gave land there, possibly the manor, to his mother Isabel, then wife of William Blount, by whom she had a son Peter. Sir John Lovett died about 1316, leaving as co-heirs Cecilia and Alice Lovett, who conveyed the manor in 1316 to Peter Blount above mentioned, who was already holding his mother's life estate in the manor by her grant. Peter, who died in 1320, gave Tymberlake before his death to his brother Walter Blount. Walter was apparently dead in 1323, when his sons John and Walter confirmed the manor to Lady Isabel Blount for her life and one year after. The manor descended with Sodington in Mamble in the Blount family, and belonged to Sir Edward Blount in 1816, when it is mentioned for the last time as a manor. Sir Edward Blount still held the so-called site of Tymberlake Castle in 1875, and it became part of the Blounts' estate of Mawley Hall in Cleobury Mortimer (co. Salop). The moated site is still known, though few traces now remain. (VCH 1924)

Comments

Moated manor house called a castle only in the C19. How fortified this relatively minor manor house was may be open to some question.