A Brief History of Crake Trees Manor.
The medieval timber-framed great hall and associated service range were demolished in the late 16th or early 17th century - being replaced by a single-storey stone-built wing comprising entrance all and kitchen. The Lancaster family's coat of arms was proudly displayed on the external wall. A two-storey tower was also erected to contain the house's most elegant rooms. During the second half of the 17th century, the house appears to have been occupied by tenants and the construction of the barn in the late 18th century confirms that by then it was essentially just a farmhouse. It seems the house was deserted between 1871 and 1881 and gradually fell into disrepair, although photographs indicate that in 1935 the basic structure was still more or less intact.
Earthworks in the surrounding landscape revealed the site of a fishpond, a fundamental part of any wealthy stately home, along with possible garden terraces that may tie in with the transformation of the house in the late 16th or early 17th century. Identification of long-disused trackways reveals that although Crake Trees now appears isolated in the landscape, it was once closely associated with the dispersion of nearby villages and hamlets. Crake Trees is now a Grade II listed building and protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Links: From the English Heritage Web Site Home Page follow > Archaeology > Landscape Detectives > Local Investigations > North West Region > Crake Trees. |
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Once
a grand 14th century Manor, just one extremely dilapidated wing, of
the house of Crake Trees survives today. Documentary evidence dates
occupation of the building from 1591, but it is believed to have been
built for the family of Lancaster, principally from Sockbridge Hall
near Penrith.
In
March 2000, archaeological and architectural investigations teams from
York recorded and analysed the remains of the building. Evidence of
a medieval timber-framed private chapel, was found, with a finely carved
stone 'piscina' - a large water basin that would have been sited near
the altar. 