The Medieval Manor House, Gainsborough

The Medieval Manor House, Gainsborough

www.gainsborougholdhall.co.uk/index.html

When Sir Thomas Burgh inherited the Manor House in Gainsborough, in 1455, following the death of his mother, he was not married and aged "24 and more". Between 1461 and 1463, when he married, Sir Thomas may well have led a bachelor life. Always at court and about the Kings business, to busy to be at Gainsborough. From 1431 to 1461 the manor house, now known as The Medieval Manor House, would have been little used, perhaps the manor Bailiff lived there, keeping things "ticking over" until the Burgh family had need of it, especially during Sir Thomas's frequent trips North. The manor, as we now know it, dates mostly from the second half of the 15th century, with many later additions, down through the following centuries. The layout of the building and it's wings is typical of many late 15th century Manor houses, and indeed large town and city houses of that period.  In the late medieval period the manor was surrounded by a semi wet ditch and high walls, which must be seen as security rather than defence against military attack. The manor was close to the river Trent with rolling park land spread north, toward Morton village, the parish church standing in it's own grounds to the north-east. To the rear of the manor stood the Mart-Yard. Surrounded by high walls and service buildings for the main house. Here could be found the blacksmiths shop, laundry, brew house, stables and granaries. The south wall gate of the yard would have been protected by a brick built tower, which housed the porter and his family. and was secured dusk till dawn.

When Thomas married in 1463 his wife, Lady Margaret would have probably looked at the manors outdated decor in horror. For the rest of the 1460's Lady Margaret would have renovated the manor, the original construction method used, being a basic timber framework in filled with lathe and plaster, covered in rough plaster which, in turn, was finished with smooth plaster, allowing painting or wainscotting when dry. Tree ring dating gives a period of felling of around 1465, which works well with the steady modernization of the manor at that time.

In 1470 the manor was attacked by Richard, Lord Welles and his men, the culmination of jealousy and treason which led to Welles ultimate demise at the Kings hands. The attack left the manor house damaged, not destroyed, as many historians would lead us to believe. In fact, IF the Burgh family had been present during this assault in March 1470, there would have been a great deal of blood shed and a lot more to read in the contemporary chronicles. As it was, Sir Thomas and his family were either at the royal court or in Nottingham, acting as Commissioner of the Peace.

After the furore of the attack and the uncertainty of 1471, when Henry VI was restored to the throne, and Edward IV fought to take it back, the Burgh's felt more relaxed about their situation. The brick tower was built around 1471 and is similar to the home of Sir Thomas's friend, Sir Thomas Montgomery at Falkbourne Hall in Suffolk. The tower was never intended as a defense, it is a fashion statement of the time. The tower itself gave the manor and the family a very high standard of accommodation, as the tower was entered from the private chambers of the east wing. Each bedroom a plastered and probably wainscotted (wood paneled) interior, glass windows with wooden shutters. a fireplace and it's own privy or toilet. Each bedroom had its own furniture including a splendid bed, perhaps with an ornate canopy, adding to the luxury and opulence of the decor, found, by the way throughout the whole house.

Today, you, as the visitor, can step back in time to the golden age of the manor house, visiting the magnificent and very rare kitchens, still used during our re-enactment and Living History events, the solar with its splendid bed and wall hangings, the Great Hall with its magnificent hand made tables, side boards and Chapel. The soaring roof of the Hall drawing the eye to its beams and the colourful heraldry, charting the Burgh family history.

Rescued from total destruction by The Friends of Gainsborough Old Hall, the manor is now in the guardianship of English Heritage and managed by Lincolnshire County Council. www.gainsborougholdhall.co.uk/index.html The Medieval Manor House, now stands in the busy town of Gainsborough , a town enjoying somewhat of a renaissance, which continues at a pace, making a place to visit, and not just for Sir Thomas and Lady Margaret's medieval manor house!

Lord Burgh's Retinue would like to express its thanks to Sue Scott, Principal Keeper of The Medieval Manor House and all her splendid staff, who make us so very welcome- we are very proud to be able to call The Old Hall our home