The Manor

The Manor is a fortified late-medieval manor house that embodies the transition from purely defensive feudal architecture to the domestic grandeur of the landed gentry. Built in the late 14th century, its form is defined by a massive stone keep that anchors the northeast corner, surrounded by a curtain wall that encloses a central courtyard. This layout is a classic example of the "fortified manor" typology, where the residence is shielded by military architecture while still maintaining the spatial organization of a noble household.

The keep is the oldest and most imposing element of the site. Its thick limestone walls rise three stories, with narrow slit windows on the lower levels and larger mullioned windows on the upper floors. The ground floor was originally for storage and service, the first floor housed the high table and the household staff, and the top floor served as the lord's private chamber. The keep’s defensive features — machicolations along the parapet and a corner turret — are now preserved as historic fabric, though the battlements have been capped for modern protection.

The curtain wall connects the keep to the southwest gatehouse, creating a defensible perimeter that defines the public and private zones of the site. The gatehouse is a formidable structure with a double-leafed arched entrance, a portcullis slot, and a two-story tower above the gate. The courtyard was once the hub of manor life, used for livestock, fodder, and the movement of carts; today it serves as a pedestrian courtyard that ties the various wings of the house together.

The interior organization of the manor follows a traditional medieval plan, organized around a great hall that runs the length of the main block. The hall is a long, high-ceilinged space with a central hearth and a timber-framed roof with a decorative collar beam. At one end is the dais, where the lord sat in state, and at the other is the spiral staircase leading to the upper chambers. The private apartments are located in the west wing, where smaller chambers with fireplace surrounds and carved stone chimney pieces provide more intimate living spaces.

The preservation of The Manor is a delicate balance between conservation and adaptive reuse. The stonework requires regular repointing and lime-wash treatments to prevent weathering, and the timber roof needs careful monitoring for rot and moisture ingress. The interior has been sensitively modernized for contemporary use, with discreet lighting and updated kitchens that do not obscure the original fireplace surrounds or the medieval woodwork.

The manor’s significance lies in its dual identity as both a fortress and a home. It shows how the elite negotiated the need for security with the desire for comfort and prestige. Walking through the gatehouse and into the courtyard, one can still feel the weight of the defensive architecture, but once inside the hall, the space opens up and the residence takes over. The keep remains the most powerful symbol of that era, a towering stone block that anchors the house and tells the story of a time when a home had to be a castle.

The site is divided into four zones:

• The Keep: The primary defensive and private residential block
• The Gatehouse: The fortified entrance and service tower
• The Great Hall: The public and communal living space
• The Courtyard: The central open space and circulation spine

The Manor stands as a complete architectural unit, where every wall and window contributes to the narrative of late medieval life. Its survival is a testament to the durability of its construction and the continued relevance of its domestic form, which still works as a coherent house today.