Monument record 836/1 - Romano-British Villa Near Red Lion Pub, Harpole

Site of a 2nd-4th century AD Roman villa uncovered in the 1840s when a mosaic was found; it was partly excavated in 1966 when a cistern was uncovered and animal remains, two cleft ox skulls and hooves, were found possibly indicating the site of a shrine

{1} A Roman pavement in a field near the half-way house between Northampton and Weedon.

{2}The site was first discovered in 1846 and in 1849 a mosaic pavement was uncovered. The latter was probably 4m by 6m and had a central octagon enclosing a medallion with a maltese cross. In 1899 the mosaic was uncovered again and some of it was removed. The rest of the site was not explored but tesserae of other pavements, tiles, bricks and pottery were noted. An excavation to the south-east of the assumed loation of the mosaic, prior to road-works in 1966, revealed a stone cistern, 4m by 6m, and a 4th-century 'structure' over-lying robbed out 2nd-century walls. A large quantity of pottery, mainly 4th century in date, as well as tiles, tesserae and stone rubble have been found on the site (See also SMR ref 938/1, Harpole Roman villa)

{3} Tessellated pavement discovered in 1846 measured 22ft by 10ft. "tesserae and other relics are discovered to a considerable extent beyond the spot.

{4} Pretty's 2.5" map of 1954 shows the pavement at the northwest corner of the road junction at Harpole.

{5} The siting of the mosaic on Pretty's map is suspect. Surface scatter of Romano-British material.

{6} Colour drawing.

{10} Finds report: descriptions and sketches. Finds included: part of a Roman silver spoon; Roman sheet AE enamelled red with impressed roundels, pierced at centre; 3 Roman brooches; and 13 Roman coins;

{11} Rescue excavation before road widening at SP 684599 in 1966 revealed a stone cistern 12' by 24' c 40' E of the villa; a metalled surface on the N side contained two cleft ox skulls, each accompanied by a pair of hooves. A 4th century structure overlay robbed 2nd century walls. Photos in supplementary file.

{13} Near the Red Lion inn SW of Harpole village, in a field adjoining the Weedon - Northampton road on the north, a "villa" was detected in 1846. In 1849 a mosaic was found, with a geometrical design in red, white, buff and black, which may have measured 12' by 18' when perfect. The site was not explored beyond the mosaic, but tesserae of other pavements, tiles, bricks and sherds were noticed.

{16} A scatter of RB occ. debris can be seen at the published site which is now under plough. The material found during the rescue excavation in 1966 is in the possession of Mrs G Brown who has yet to publish a paper.

{17} NH 61 Listed as the site of a Roman villa

<1> 1847, Journal of The British Archaeological Association (Vol.2), 2/364 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN12382.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.74/Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> 1850, Journal of The British Archaeological Association (Vol.5), 5/375 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN10347.

<4> The Society of Antiquaries of London, 1853, Archaeologia (35), p.394+plate 16 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN58177.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP65NE2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> 1851, Journal of The British Archaeological Association (Vol.6), 6/126 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN47092.

<7> Rainey A, 1973, Mosaics in Roman Britain, p.92-3 (unchecked) (Book). SNN102978.

<8> 1951, THE ROMAN TOWN AND VILLA AT GREAT CASTERTON IN RUTLAND, p.35-9 (unchecked) (Booklet). SNN55595.

<9> NORTHAMPTONSHIRE EXPLORATION SOCIETY, 1900, Annual Report, p.5 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN60060.

<10> 1987, UNPUBLISHED REPORT, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN57530.

<11> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1967, The Journal of Roman Studies, 57/186 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN29213.

<12> SITE RECORDS, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN12396.

<13> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.197 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<14> Musgrave E.C.; Tingle M. (editors), 1991, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1990, p110 Harpole (unchecked) (Article). SNN100325.

<15> Butler, A., 2008, Geophysical surveys at Barn Close and Harpit, Harpole, January 2006-December 2007 (Report). SNN106727.

<16> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 22-JAN-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<17> Scott, E., 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, p. 144/ NH 61 (Monograph). SNN110345.

<18> Brown, G, 1966, Excavations at Harpole, April 1966 (Notes). SNN112746.

<19> Harcourt, J, 1980-1, Heyford Roman Villa, Harpole (Notes). SNN112747.

<20> Mrs G Brown, 1967, Excavations and Fieldwork, 1966-67 (Note). SNN115491.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:17PM