Lower Noverton Moat

Description

Possibly the site of a moated manor house (Gracie), perhaps that known as the Court, which was in the possession of the Prior of Llanthony in the mid-13th century (VCH). Excavations by Capt Gracie located extensive traces of structures and 13th cent pottery among complex earthworks (Gracie).
Site of a possible fortified manor house, visible as a complex of earthworks in 1964. Possibly the building known as 'the court', in the possession of the prior of Llanthony in the mid 13th century. The site was excavated in 1966, revealing building foundations, including those of the great hall and kitchen, along with a quantity of 13th century pottery (Med. Arch. 1966; Glevensis 1991, 1996).
This site is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1951. The site is now built over by houses on Muscroft Road (APs). (PastScape)

There was presumably a house at Noverton by the 13th century when the name Overton occurs as a personal name. In 1964 a large moated site was visible at Lower Noverton, among mid-20th century houses. There is no other evidence, however, that Noverton was more than a very small settlement centred upon a few farm-houses, of which those that survived in 1964 were of the 16th or 17th century.
The Prior of Llanthony had a house in Prestbury by the mid-13th century, when it was called the court; it was perhaps the house on the moated site at Lower Noverton. By 1538 the house belonging to the priory stood beside the church and was called the manor-house or rectory. (VCH)

Comments

Has been identified as the bishops palace recorded by Leland but this was more probably the site at Shaw Green) or the Prior of Llanthony's house of which a, much modified, C14 hall house still survives, called The Priory, by the church at SO969240. The VCH suggestion this was also a Prior's house, giving two houses in the parish, presumably a rectory and a private prior residence, is a weak possibility. However, there may have been a precursor to Hall Place built by the Baghot family in the C16 and this might just represent their homestead. Presumably the Baghots were, relatively wealthy, tenants of Llanthony who were able to buy the manor at the Dissolution of the Priory.
The detailed excavation report of this site appears to have been lost and the available reports consist of a few summery impression and a plan made after re-development had started. It is not, therefore, possibly to conclude what feature(s) other than perhaps a moat, lead to this site being described as 'fortified' and the site may have been a relatively simple, if fairly early, homestead moat over stated by an excavator who was not professional enough to even safeguard his notes, let alone turn these into a published report.