Chenies Manor, Chenies, Buckinghamshire - An Archaeological Evaluation of a Tudor Manor House and an Assessment of the Results

Wessex Archaeology

The evaluation revealed evidence for a phase of 12th and 13th century occupation on the Site, in the form of a number of features cut in to the natural drift geology of the site. Two parallel ditches were excavated in Trench 2, whilst removal of areas of the Tudor and Post-medieval garden soil in Trench 12 revealed two substantial features that may represent either pits or ditch termini. Additional Medieval material was recovered from both later and unstratified deposits in Trenches 4, 7, 8 and 12, further indicating the presence of Medieval activity on the Site during the 12th and 13th centuries. This material, and the favourable location of the site on a slight rise to the west of the parish church suggest that this was the location of Isenhampstead Manor.

Structural remains relating to the Tudor manorial complex were identified in a number of different trenches. These represent the remains of the north range, recorded as ruinous in the 18th century, the eastern wall of the courtyard and a substantial range to the north west of the current manor house. This latter (in Trench 12) showed evidence for a complex structural history, one of the last phases of which was the addition of two bay windows to the north front of the complex. This probably represents an upgrading of these rooms, possibly in advance of one of the Royal visits. This range may have formed the main accommodation block, with large windows overlooking the gardens to the north.

A walkover survey of the site suggests that the complex was originally approached from the west, and had extensive formal gardens to the north of the manor and a Privy garden to the south. The manor probably also had two hunting parks located to the west and south west of the complex. Unfortunately, the expense of maintaining so large a complex proved too great for the Russell family, especially after their decision to use Woburn as their main family home. Chenies was subsequently managed by a steward, and some of the buildings
used as part of Manor Farm. The north wing and the range to the north west were either dismantled or allowed to fall into ruin. Some later features were identified, including Post-medieval or Victorian wall footings and features.