Monument record 366/2 - Possible Roman Villa at Blackgrounds

Drainage work close to the river in 1849 led to the discovery of a detached bath house near the river, consisting of three rooms and a stoke hole. Subsequent ploughing across the whole area revealed extensive stone foundations and large quantities of Roman pottery from the 1st to the 4th century. Geophysical survey undertaken of the scheduled monument identified complex archaeological remains across the whole area, although an area of increased magnetic response in the centre may be the site of the former villa buildings.

{1} Excavations in 1848 discovered a detached bath house, 36 by 18ft in size, comprising 3 rooms and a stokepit. It was found near the river in Caldwiths Field. In 1826 an urn containing human bones was found.

{3} At Chipping Warden there exist considerable traces of Roman buildings half a mile E of the village. Only one building has been actually excavated - a detached bath house 36' by 18' found in 1848 close to the water in a field known as "Caldwiths". Remains of walls have also been noticed in the adjoining fields to the N known as "Blackgrounds". Samian, Nene valley ware and other potsherds and small objects have been picked up and still
abound, over a large area. An urn with human bones was found in 1826, and in 1849 four skeletons were found. Numerous Roman coins have been found ranging from Domitian but predominantly 250-390. There is no reason for identifying this site as "Brinavis" as has frequently been done. Saxon sceattas have also been found here, as well as three IA coins.

{2} This work also led to the discovery of a detached bath house near the river, consisting of three rooms and a stoke hole. Subsequent ploughing across the whole area revealed extensive stone foundations and large quantities of Roman pottery from the 1st to the 4th century including much samian, coins and other small objects. Some of the Iron Age coins listed above may have come from this site. A small well is also recorded.

{4} Deeper ploughing in 1849 revealed foundations and an area of metalling (possibly a path?) at a depth of 12 inches. Report by Rev E.G. Walford. Description and plan [SMR note 10/02/2011 the annotations on the plan do not appear to correlate with those in the description]

{15} Falls in Ludwell Field;finds in Northampton Museum. <Possibly relates to other records>

{13} Remains of walls have been noticed in the adjoining fields to the north known as Blackgrounds.

{14} On north bank of the Cherwell, ¼ mile east of Edgecote House. Excavations in 1849 revealed a bath house 1m x 5.5m. Coin evidence from a date in C3-C4 and inhumation burials found here may also have been related to a villa settlement. The bath house is unlikely to have been detached and the villa must lie in the close neighbourhood. Field under pasture 1/77, part of the parkland surrounding Edgecote House.
In arable portion of site, north of the hedge line, there is a dense spread of material which extends well beyond the scheduled area; it peters out in the field north west of Blackgrounds Cottage. Crop in fields to east hid much of the surface but impression was of a far less dense spread here. {AM12 1980}
Draining trenches near east boundary of pasture field, well outside scheduled area, revealed buried soil, sherds etc.

{15} Falls in Ludwell Field;finds in Northampton Museum. <Possibly relates to other records>

{19} A stone-lined well, found in September 1956 during deep ploughing on Blackgrounds farm. The well was 22in in diameter and was excavated to a depth of 22ft.

{20} Geophysical survey was undertaken of the Scheduled Monument ahead of HS2. It identified an area of complex archaeological remains covering different phases of activity and settlement. An area of increased magnetic response in the centre of the scheduled area is suggestive of a former building, probably the location of the villa.

{21} The published site of this Ro building falls in a sloping pasture field called 'Ludwell". There are no surface indications of an excavation to be seen but, as described above, the two fields to the N are both called 'Black Grounds'. 'Caldwith' field is NE and here a stone lined well at SP512483 is probably Roman. Stone and Ro pottery is scattered in the plough in both fields about SP 5115 4830, and Mr P Boonham of Blackgrounds Cottage has seven
unclassified bronze Roman coins from the area.

{22} A large quantity of Romano-British pottery found at Edgecote by Mr. Brachi shows continuity from 55 to 500 AD.

{25} No change since report of 21 4 70. Nothing visible on OS air photographs 75.311 289-90.

{27} Two sketches of the Bath dated 1849;

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP54NW1 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.29/Site 3 & Fig 37 (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.200 (checked) (Series). SNN100368.

<4> 1850, Journal of The British Archaeological Association (Vol.5), 5/83 168 (checked) (Journal). SNN10347.

<5> Beesley J., 1841, History of Banbury, p.27 (unchecked) (Book). SNN280.

<6> 1846, Proceedings of The Numismatic Society, 25/2 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN60183.

<7> 1843, Proceedings of The Numismatic Society, 23/11 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN60182.

<8> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.111 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<9> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.531 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<10> GOUGH, 1806?, ADD. TO CAMDEN II, /272 (unchecked) (Document). SNN38932.

<11> Unknown, In connection with Brinavis and Chipping Warden, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN52061.

<12> 1845, Proceedings of The Numismatic Society, 27 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN60018.

<13> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP54NW1 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<14> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1986, DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Northamptonshire (Parts 5-8) (Schedule). SNN104787.

<15> 1978, CORRESPONDENCE, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN1782.

<16> 1955, OS 6 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN60187.

<17> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, Lecture File (checked) (Archive). SNN115.

<18> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, Parish Files (checked) (Archive). SNN115.

<19> Northampton Museum Records, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<20> WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY, 2017, Geophysical Survey Report: CA034 Extension, Scheduled Monument at the Wills Estate, Edgcote, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112291.

<21> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 21-APR-70 (Notes). SNN111541.

<22> 1959, Cake and Cockhorse, Vol 1 (2)/p. 7 (Journal). SNN109564.

<23> Scott, E., 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, p. 141/ Site NH26 (Monograph). SNN110345.

<24> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p. 526 (Book). SNN10113.

<25> Colquhoun, FD, 1977, Field Investigators Comments, F2 FDC 12-MAY-77 (Notes). SNN114135.

<26> Historic England, Undated, [ROMAN WALL AT CHIPPING WARDEN], 897156 (Archive). SNN115540.

<27> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/284/19,20 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:12PM