Generating the dataset

Phase 1

In order to find evidence for the motives and means of developing exclusivity it was necessary to consider a wide range of locations and residences. A better understanding of the role of exclusivity in the creation of elite landscapes would be had by including properties that declined due to changing fortunes and fashions as well as those belonging to successful and innovative owners. For this reason, the dataset needed to include abandoned sites, in addition to those that had continued in existence until the present day. In order to create a sample of both lost and extant elite residences a number of sources were consulted. The first phase of research involved a desk-based survey of the region using the First Edition of the six inch to one mile Ordnance Survey sheets for East Anglia. The high degree of accuracy and detail contained in the early editions of the Ordnance Survey (hereafter OS), combined with their availability online via the

Edina Digimap38 historic mapping service made the First Edition an ideal source for the

first phase of research. The initial inspection of the OS revealed a large number of moats, ponds and other water features such as small, non-residential moat platforms which appear to have been used in an ornamental capacity, which Chris Currie termed

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moat motifs.39 Extant water features and in some cases depictions of earthworks prompted further research to establish if these features had once been part of the grounds surrounding a high-status residence. The relevant Historic Environment Records (hereafter HERs) were consulted to establish if archaeological evidence was available for sites located by the map searches and for evidence of additional relict features found during excavations. The Norfolk HER is particularly useful, as it contains a great deal of aerial reconnaissance evidence, much of which was taken during the 1970s and 80s by Norfolk Archaeology Unit photographer Derek Edwards.

Phase 2

Following this initial research, online and archive centre catalogues were consulted along with published resources such as Calendars of State Papers. This phase of the investigation identified the availability of primary sources for use in conjunction with the archaeological evidence and indicated how much biographical evidence was available for the families and individuals associated with elite residences. At this point, the quality and quantity of the available evidence for the sites was graded to assess if it might address any of the research questions outlined in Chapter 1. The availability of manuscript and biographical evidence was defined on a scale rated 1 – 5 where 1 denoted evidence was scarce and 5 indicated that evidence was abundant. The quality of field and archaeological evidence was similarly assessed from 1, poor to 5, excellent. The main case studies were chosen from sites with a combined total of 6 or more over the two categories. Some sites with lower totals were included if they provided evidence that addressed a particular aspect of the research, or where the settlement history of a sub-region meant fewer elite residences were established during the relevant period. Some of the residences with lower combined totals had been inhabited by minor gentry, merchants, physicians and other professionals who were less likely to participate in regional or national administration. Their inclusion broadened the social context, which otherwise could have consisted mainly of those from the top of the regional hierarchy, who tended to leave the largest archives and the most substantial material remains. Considering sites where documentary evidence was scarce but the archaeology was compelling, ensured that residences developed by families whose success was short lived were not over-looked. The landscapes created by the aspiring elite were among some of the most ambitious in the region but on occasion their creation appears to have

39 _{Currie, C. K., (1990) “Fish Ponds as Garden Features c. 1550 – 1750” Garden History, Vol 18, No. 1,}

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been a major factor in the decline of the family. Elaborate schemes at sites such as East Bilney (63; TF 9453 1970; North) and West Dereham Grange (56; TF 6715 0325; West) were abandoned within a century of their creation. The only indication of the existence of these landscapes being substantial earthworks rather than references in published sources. A record of all the relevant documentary and archaeological evidence for residences and associated biographical information was collated in a database, which was then analysed for evidence of exclusivity, along with its impact on, and functions within, elite landscapes. A sample of the higher scoring properties from the seven sub-regions and spanning the chronological divisions of the research period, was selected for more detailed study. In addition to being the basis of this thesis, the data could be analysed in a number of different ways making it a useful resource for future research projects.

Phase 3

A number of residences from outwith the region were added to provide comparative evidence from across England. These included properties built or owned by families who also held residences in East Anglia such as West Wickham Court ( TQ 3899 6475; now GLA, formerly Kent), which was built by the Heydons of Baconsthorpe (9; TG 1214 3809; North). Others were held by families of similar status to members of the East Anglian, for example, Leconfield Manor (TA0130 4311; East Yorkshire) which belonged to the Earls of Northumberland. The household regulations in force at Leconfield Manor were recorded by the fifth Earl of Northumberland and provide useful evidence of how high-status residences were organised in the early sixteenth century.40 Houses created by powerful arrivistes such as Richard Rich, later First Baron Rich, provide evidence of the strategies new owners adopted when creating elite landscapes. Rich was granted Leighs Priory (TL 7008 1847; Essex) at the Dissolution and he made it his principal residence outside London. Residences where the architecture of the house or external spatial arrangements were innovative will also be discussed. For example the house and gardens at William Cecil’s Theobalds, and properties owned by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester will be discussed. The properties located outwith East Anglia widened the spatial and social context of this study and exhibited both

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The Regulations and Establishment of the Household of Henry Algernon Percy, the Fifth Earl of

Northumberland at his Castles of Wressle and Leckonfield in Yorkshire begun Anno Domini MDXII.

Transcribed by Bishop Thomas Percy 1770. New Edition published in 1905 by A Brown & Sons, London.

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similarities and contrasts with sites in the regional dataset providing valuable comparative evidence for the expansion of exclusivity and elite landscapes.