A Prebendal manor was a holding belonging to the church, which in the Middle Ages often awarded manors to members of the clergy who held high office of state.
The Prebendal Manor House at Nassington was built for the residence of a Prebend of Lincoln Cathedral on the site of one of King Cnut's royal manors.
King Cnut's Manor - King Cnut, on one of his many journeys through his kingdom, stopped at his manor in Nassington to rest. After a great banquet it is recorded that the king, to relieve the boredom of the evening, played a game of chess.
The King's manor was made from wood. A central hearth in the hall kept the king and his household warm The food for the king and his entourage would have been cooked in the kitchen which was in a separate building.
A Royal Endowment - In 1123 King Henry I gave the manor and some land to the Bishop of Lincoln for the endowment of a prebend. During the very early 13th century the Late Saxon manor was replaced by a large stone manor with a Great Hall and solar.
The Great Hall - The Great Hall was the centre of medieval existence. Just as people working on the prebend's land needed to work together, they were also expected to live together.
The Great Hall was used for eating, sleeping and entertainment. The physical size of the Great Hall dominated the manor, and the prebend gained social status by its size, and his ability to provide generous hospitality when guests were present.
A Centre of Justice - Local disputes relating to the manor would have been tried and settled in a court of law held in the Great Hall. The court probably sat several times a year, and at these sessions the prebend would receive any fines due to him. He would also have to deal with a priest, or any other person who had not kept the church law.
The Dovecote - A dovecote is the medieval idea of a battery house. Pigeons were part of the daily menu. Squabs, or baby pigeons, were considered a delicacy. Later, the manure from dovecotes was used as saltpetre for gunpowder.
The Tithe Barn Museum - The 18th century tithe barn was originally used for storing and threshing corn grown on the manorial lands. Now it is partly altered to provide a visitor centre and to house the museum of the manor. In it are many artefacts dating from the Late Saxon and Medieval periods
The Medieval Gardens - Unique to the region, and designed by Michael Brown, they are the largest recreated 14th century medieval gardens in England.
Location
Between Oundle and Wansford
Further Information and Opening Times
Visit the Prebendal Manor House, Nassington, web site.