BARENTIN’S MANOR Excavations of the Moated Manor at Harding’s Field, Chalgrove, Oxfordshire 1976–9 Thames Valley Landscapes Monograph No. 24 2005

Archaeological investigations at Harding’s Field,
Chalgrove, revealed the remains of one of the most
complete examples of a moated medieval manor
yet excavated in England. Evidence of a pre-moat
occupation dating from the first half of the
13th century, which may not have been seigneurial,
was succeeded in the mid 13th century by
the construction of the moated manor house. The
documentary evidence indicates that this house
belonged to the Barentins, a prominent Oxfordshire
family.
The manor underwent considerable alterations
and improvements during the following 200 years,
particularly during the early part of the 14th century
and, to a lesser extent, in the late 14th to early
15th century. It passed out of the hands of the
Barentin family shortly before it was demolished in
the late 15th century.
The artefacts included an assemblage of pottery
that contained many fine wares and some examples
of continental imports. Decorated floor tiles, coins,
objects of metal, bone, ivory and stone, together
with vessel and window glass and some slags
were also recovered. A significant bone assemblage
was recovered, including mammal, bird and fish
remains