Monument record 2523 - Upper Lyveden deserted medieval settlement

Medieval settlement, moat and fishponds on the north side of the Lyveden valley. The site extends well into Benefield parish and may be one of the dispersed Lyveden settlements, possibly Upper Lyveden. Considerable quantities of medieval pottery have been found as well as 15th-century floor-tile wasters and burnt limestone probably indicating the presence of one or more kilns. Indeterminate soil and crop-marks to the north and west of the moat are probably the remains of buildings

{1} Site of tile-producing kiln observed October 1967 and confirmed January 1969. Considerable quantity of wasters of floor and ridge tiles with white and green glaze noted. About 60 yds to the south west, an area of rubble (including several blocks of ashlar) and sherds was noted and to the west of this was an area of very dark soil, containing several sheds - a midden? SP 9879 8698;

{2} Medieval settlement, moat and fishponds on the north side of the Lyveden Valley. The site extends well into Benefield parish and is perhaps another of the medieval Lyveden settlement. [moat and fishponds are separate records] Between the moat and the fishponds a large quantity of stone and of medieval pottery has been ploughed up. Surrounding these earthworks, and in the arable land, are other finds and features indicating a substantial medieval settlement and pottery industry. The most important of these are: at SP 98798698, considerable quantities of 15th-century floor-tile wasters indicating the presence of one or more kilns; at SP 98828692 limestone rubble and medieval pottery; at SP98848702 extensive areas of medieval pottery overlain by ridge and furrow; at SP99078718 medieval pottery including St Neots Ware; immediately north and north-west of the fishponds, very indeterminate soil and crop-marks, including pits and ditches, seen on air photographs, probably the remains of buildings. There are more banks, visible as cropmarks, further north-west;

{3} Medieval pottery sherds found at SP 9884 8702;

{4} Fieldwalking survey undertaken in 1982; dark soil and medieval pottery noted; possible stone buildings; 'Upper Lyveden'?; area defined by D Hall; SP 9887 8712;

{5} Medieval glazed tile fragments found 08/01/1961 at SP 9890 8692;

{6} Hollow way, stone buildings, ponds, dark areas. Near moated site, c.10a in all. In C17th called Banhaw Closes (Pettit, NRS, 1968, M1). A possible C15th tile kiln at SP98898692. Areas of C13th pottery. Upper Lyveden.

{7} A scatter of pottery was found during field investigations in 1969 [at SP 98848702]. The site was located in a freshly ploughed field.

{8} A perambulation of the site found it to be under corn stubble, and little was seen.

<1> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Medieval), 4/16 (Article). SNN30971.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, 73-74 (Series). SNN77379.

<3> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1969, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1967/68 (Medieval), 3/20 (unchecked) (Article). SNN57956.

<4> HALL D.N., 1982, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN50739.

<5> 6 Inch Map & Site List, (unchecked) (Map). SNN43826.

<6> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, Benefield/Site 17 (Database). SNN102279.

<7> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 03-OCT-1969 (Notes). SNN111907.

<8> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 08-OCT-1969 (Notes). SNN111907.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:50PM