Lambley Manor was held by the Cromwells from the Conquest until 1456. A 1459 rental describes the manor house, built of timber and plaster, roofed with slates and having 4 rooms on the ground floor and 3 rooms on an upper storey; it stood on a mound that was surrounded by a moat. A wooden bridge over the moat connected the house to a large outer courtyard where there were extensive outbuildings. In the N of the courtyard there were stables and a new barn; to the S a bakery, "hall for husbandry" and brewhouse; to the W another barn, a granary, dovecote and gatehouse. There is some reason for supposing that the manorial complex stood to the S of the church on what is today a grass field known as the Pingle. Much of this field consists of complex earthworks, including a substantial ditch feature which may represent remains of the Med moat - interestingly a moat-like feature appears in a similar position on the Lambley portion of the 1609 Sherwood Forest Map (2). The manor house appears to have been demolished by 1609 as there is no building within the moat depicted on (2). (1)
This field right at the heart of the village preserves a major block of earthworks. (3)
See M2499 for site of moat to east, M1891 for church.

Data Held (Document). SNT2647.

Plans, Parish File

Data Held: Ground Photograph (Ground photograph). SNT2646.

8 colour prints, 10/11-14,28-30,36 (negs F53/4,5, F54/1,2,4), SMR

<1> Thoroton Society, 1981, TTS, pp 75-77 (Published document). SNT394.

<2> Mastoris SN & Groves SM, 1997, Sherwood Forest in 1609 (Map). SNT906.

Other Refs: map 12

<3> TPAT, 1996, Village Earthwork Survey III (Published document). SNT1361.