Monument record 3027/1 - Early Middle Saxon Iron Working Site, Willow Brook

A large area of black soil with a low mound of iron slag 1 m. high, while a scatter of iron slag extends over the adjacent fields E. of the brook. A few medieval sherds and a single Roman sherd of pottery have been found, but charcoal from the slag heap has been radiocarbon dated to the 7th century AD.

{1} On the north-west side of the Willow Brook, close to the parish boundary, a mound about 3ft high was seen (at about SP96959523) in December 1969. Finds given to Northampton Museum.

{2} A sample of charcoal was taken for analysis from a large slag heap (which respects or is respected by) the Bulwick/Blatherwyke parish boundary. The calibrated dates gave a date of AD 635 - 685 (with 68% probability).

{3} A large slag heap with evidence of iron working in the banks of the adjacent stream; awaiting radiocarbon dating. (Information supplied by D.Jackson.)

{4} Ironworking site on both sides of the Willow Broook near the parish boundary with Blatherwycke. On the west side of the brook is a large area of black soil with a low mound of iron slag 1m high, while a scatter of iron slag extends over the adjacent fields to the east of the brook.

(5) An area of black soil on the west bank of the Willow Brook, with a stone area and foundations, and a few medieval pot sherds and fragments of kiln bars. Evidently the site of a foundry. Crops suggest little early ground disturbance and debris extends both sides of the brook.

{6} Trollope mentions several spots "still covered with iron slag, cinders and ashes, interspersed with coins and other unmistakeable Roman relics". He mentions one such spot in Bulwick parish "by the Willow Brook, on the confines of Blatherwycke parish, where there is a mound of slag". It is not certain whether the slag here is Roman.

{7}FINDS;1 RB POT SHERD & IRON SLAG & CINDER & ASH;FOUND IN BULWICK BY WILLOW BROOK ON THE CONFINES OF BLATHERWYCKE;(1);

{10} Slag (significant find scatter). A very large site with heaps of slag and some burnt limestone present. Large pieces of slag some with V-shaped section, possibly tapped into a channel? Dark area all around. (Slag at east at SP97109506 that links with background to Bulwick Site 2.)

{12} Described as a large slag mound with evidence of iron working on the banks of the stream. However during the 1998 field visit the site was under high Oilseed Rape and could not be assessed. One large piece of slag was found in a field but nothing in the stream.

{13} SP 96959523. In ploughland is a large area of black soil with a mound of smelting debris, situated on the W bank of the Willow Brook, evidently the site of a foundry. Building remains and foundations close by on both sides of the brook seem to be relatively modern. No pottery was seen but broken pieces of what may have been kiln bars were found. No datable material of any kind was found.

{14} West of Willow Brook is now under high crop and perambulation not possible. The crop is thick and regular in height suggesting little early ground disturbance.

To the east of the brook there is much unclassifiable iron slag evident but no other industrual refuse or domestic debris was seen; brick walling to the north of the indicated area is 20th century.

<1> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1970, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1969 (Roman), 4/6 (checked) (Article). SNN100535.

<2> JOHNSTON A.G., 1998, CORRESPONDENCE, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN39823.

<3> 1998, Monuments Protection Programme: Bloomery Iron Industry (Provisional Step 2 Shortlist), 25 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN46996.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.24 Site 2 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP99NE7 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> TROLLOPE E., 1859-60, Associated Architectural Socities Reports and Papers, p.99 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN103499.

<7> 1859, Associated Architectural Societies Reports, p.99 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5018.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP99NE7 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<9> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.24/Site 2 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<10> Hall D.N., 1960-1999, Rockingham Forest Project: Archaeological Sites Recorded by David Hall, Bulwick/Site 3 (Database). SNN102279.

<11> Crossley D., 1998, Monuments Protection Programme: Iron and Steel Industries (Site Assessments), 1.6 (unchecked) (Report). SNN106761.

<12> Crossley D., 1998, Monuments Protection Programme: Iron and Steel Industries (Step 3, Appendix 3, Handlist of Assessed Sites), 1.6 p.35 (unchecked) (Report). SNN106760.

<13> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 18-JUN-1970 (Notes). SNN111541.

<14> Colquhoun, FD, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 FDC 21-JUN-1976 (Notes). SNN114457.

<15> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), AF0615981 (Archive). SNN113295.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:23PM