Monument record BAT 005 - Battisford Tye Sawpits, Sandy Lane

Site of sawpits associated with the building of the Royal Exchange in London by Sir Thomas Gresham 1566-8.
Linked with Battisford Tye, `here may be traced five or six saw-pits of about the usual size, at equal distance from each other, so marked in their shape and character as to preclude the possibility of any mistake as to their nature; and according to current tradition, they are the same that Gresham employed in the construction of the frame-work of his burse (i.e. the Royal Exchange)...' The following entry in a MS history of Suffolk families, written in 1665, goes far towards setting at rest the question of the identity of the pits at present visible..."Upon which Tye or Common the Royal Exchange was framed; and the sawing-pits remain there still. And most, or at least a great part of the timber wherewith the said Exchange was built, was taken off the now lands, belonging to the demesnes of the said mannor of St John's". A letter written by Sir Thomas Gresham to Sir William Cecil, 13 Aug 1566, mentions `And beinge within XIIII mile of my house at Rinxall, (whereat I make all my provision for my timber for the Burse)' (S1). Gresham 's house was at Ringshall Hall, immediately to the S of Battisford Tye. Burgon mentions that there was `a driftway - almost the only turf of the old Tye remaining - which leads to Mr Bennett's farmhouse, in the occupation of T Death. Here it is that the saw-pits may be traced' (S2). The location of Thomas Death's house can be traced on the 1842 Battisford Tithe Map, but no pits are shown (S3). Not now (1993) visible and not visible on 1986 aerial photograph (S4).