Edward Bisse

Spargrove Manor Moat - Historic Record Somerset Historic Environment Record 11667Site Name: Evaluation (2000), Spargrove Manor moat SCHEDULED MONUMENT: Moated manor house site, Spargrove Farm [No:438]Civil Parish: BatcombeGrid Ref: ST 6709 3790 (ST 63 NE) Show site on map (Requires Flash) Image: HER 11667 - Wood in trench. Photo by Somerset County Council (September 2000)Public access:

The public accessibility of this site is unknown or has not been checked. Please ask locally and do not visit without permission. [Information last updated on 21 May 2003]

Details: Two evaluation trenches were cut following an application for SMC to reinstate and rewater the eastern arm of the moat at Spargrove (PRN 23098). The moat, up to 2m deep and 11-13m wide, contained up to 1m of waterlogged sediments. Trench 1 at the north end revealed an inner vertical stone revetting wall to the total depth of the moat. The outer bank was cut at an angle of 35 degrees to the base of the east revetment wall. Three large timbers in the base of the moat were set horizontally in a jointed H-shape and sealed by deposits of clay, silt and gravel - this probably represents the original medieval timber bridge crossing for the moat, which was replaced by a causeway, within the make-up for which were found several redeposited structural timbers. 14th-15th century pottery was found within deposits surrounding the H base plate. Environmental sampling was undertaken and timbers sampled for dendrochronological analysis. Trench 2 to the south contained waterlogged deposits within the moat and exposed the footings of a grotto. Later moat and bridge revetments were also recorded. {1}

Dendrochronological analysis suggests a late C13 date for the cutting of the moat, with one timber from the base plate felled in 1289, while a second had a felling date range of 1287-1317. The environmental assessments suggest a fairly open local environment, dominated by grazed pasturelands with hedges, few trees and some cereal cultivation nearby.

A revised phasing is suggested as follows - Period 1 - c1289/1290 construction of moat and timber bridge by a member of the Sansaver family. Period 2 - late C14 replacement of derelict bridge with a stone revetted earthen causeway, with some timber bridge remains by the Maltravers family as owners from 1376. Period 3 - late C16/early C17 replacement of the causeway by a stone bridge/gatehouse by the Bisse family as part of their rebuilding of the manorial complex. By this time the moat was shallower and subject to partially drying up. Period 4 - mid C18 construction of current bridge contemporary with classical landscape features. Period 5 - final period of gradual silting of moat and decay of landscape surroundings to end of C20. {2}

References:1Detailed records - Leach, P "Spargrove Manor, Batcombe, an evaluation of the eastern arm of the moat" unpublished preliminary report (2000) in HER files2Detailed records - Leach, P "Spargrove Manor, Batcombe, an evaluation of the eastern arm of the moat" unpublished report (2000) in HER files3Tree-ring analysis report - Nayling, N Tree-ring analysis of timbers from the moat of Spargrove Manor, Batcombe, Somerset unpublished English Heritage Centre for Archaeology report no 62/2001 (2001) in HER files4Museum accession number - TTNCM 18/2008

Record created on 09 May 2001

© Copyright Somerset County Council 2010

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Grant of Annuity to Edward Bisse and anotherFol. 157. 683. [Grant of Annuity to Edward Bisse and another.]

John Pitt, thunger,[i.e. the younger] of Waymouth and Melcomb Regis, Dorset, marchaunt, in consideration of £40 paid him by John (sic) Mercer, alias Aishe, of Westcombe, in the parish of Batcombe, Somerset, clothier, grants to Edward Bisse, of Spartgrave, Somerset, Esq., and James Mercer, alias Aishe, of Westcombe, clothier, their exors., etc., an annuity of £5, to be issuing out of certain houses, edifices, sellars, and new erected buildings in Waymouth and Melcomb Regis in St. Edmund Street, between the same street on the north, the Porte or Haven on the south, lands in occupation of John Hodges on the east, and a Lane or Wharffe leading from St. Nicholas Street to the Porte or Haven on the west, 58 feet long from north to south, and 17½ feet broad from east to west, and out of a dose of pasture called Waymouthes North (3½ acres) in the tithing of Southover in parish of Wyke Regis for 99 years from Michaelmas next ensuing, if Margerye, wife of John Mounsell, late of Waymouth and Melcombe Regis, merchante, shall so long live, upon trust to pay the said annuity to her for and towards her better maintenance. Various covenants. Last of May, 12 James, [1614]. In presence of John Hayse, his mark, William Gullock, James George, Edward Ashe.

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Fol. 158, 159. 684. [Grant of Annuity to Edward Biss and others.]

John Pitt, the younger, of Waymouth and Melcombe Regis, merchant, for £100 grants to Edward Bisse, of Spartgrave, Somerset, Esq., James Mercer, alias Aishe, of Westcombe, Somerset, clothier, Robert Bateman, of London, marchant, and William Whiteway, of Dorchester, marchants and their ex'ors, etc., an annuity of £10 to be issuing out of a messuage and close of pasture called Rowe close (10 acres) and out of 2 closes of meadow (2 acres) adjoining, in Radipoll, Dorset, in occupation of Thomas Hill, and out of 1 messuage and seller in Melcombe Regis, " sometime belonging to the Colledge of St. Stephen in Westm'," and out of a parcel of ground on the south of said messuage, 65 feet long from east to west, and 38 feet broad from north to south, etc., for 99 years if Margery, now wife of John Mounsell, of Waymouth and Melcombe Regis, and Peter, their son, or either of them, shall so long live, in trust to pay the same to Margery for her life, and after her death to Peter. Recites a deed of bargain and sale, nth May, 14 James [1616], by which John Mounsell and Margery, his now wife, grant sundry tenements in Way- mouth and Melcombe Regis to John Pitt, the younger, without molestation of any persons claiming under John Mounsell and Peter Mounsell deceased, father and brother of the aforesaid John. Sundry covenants. Signed 25th March, 15 James, [1617], in presence of Richard Bernard, Ro. Grove, John Pytt, Upton Bysse, Robert Forde.