Monument record 3619/2 - Late Saxon/Medieval/Post Medieval Manor

A medieval stone hovel or barn was found along with hearths and pits with pottery dating from 1100 to 1300AD. A well-head was also recorded. Parallel ditches were recorded.

{4} Between 1966 and 1971 a series of archaeological excavations were carried out by the author in the village of Isham. Site evidence clearly showed that there had been almost continuous occupation of the area from Neolithic times to the present day. Of particular interest was the Saxo-Norman pottery from Manor House Farm to the south of the present village, and another group of the same pottery to the north. Both groups pin-pointed the position of Saxon manors from which the present village has grown.

{3} Excavation of two medieval buildings, one possibly a barn. A well, oven and pits also revealed. Also medieval pot sherds covering a wide date range. Also roof tiles, ridge tiles, iron tongs & slag. Manor House Farm, excavated by J.Fox. SP885738.

{4} Between 1966 and 1971 a series of archaeological excavations were carried out by the author in the village of Isham. Site evidence clearly showed that there had been almost continuous occupation of the area from Neolithic times to the present day. Of particular interest was the Saxo-Norman pottery from Manor House Farm to the south of the present village, and another group of the same pottery to the north. Both groups pin-pointed the position of Saxon manors from which the present village has grown.

{5} Building development, roadworks, and extensions to the village school, made necessary a series of rescue excavations in the village of Isham, Northants. A Saxon manor, followed by the medieval manor, all well documented, produced interesting groups of pottery. Later occupation of the derelict site was represented by a few seventeenth century pots and a small bake-oven. On the opposite edge of the village, a scatter of Saxon and Medieval pottery was taken from the fringe of a second manor, also well documented.
Well-defined hovel floor and the western end of a ditched enclosure. Slag traces in the sand floor and a pair of blacksmith's tongs from a posthole close to the section suggests that this may have been the manorial smithy. A layer of rich dark humus with no finds was interpreted as fallen thatch.
The ditch fill contained C12th-early C13th shelly ware, cow bones and the odd piece of slag.
These were sealed by a C14th layer containing Lyveden ware, whilst the layer above this contained three post medieval panchions and a jetton.
Earth-moving for the road exposed ditches and several pits as well as a limestone slabbed hearth in a sand floor.

{6} Settlement remains (SP 886738). Elsewhere in the area excavation revealed a stone hovel, or barn, from which came slag and a pair of iron tongs and C13th pottery. This stood in a plot of land between two parallel ditches. Hearths and several pits containing C13th pottery were exposed. Further pits and the remains of another stone building were also noted. Further work in 1968 led to the discovery of a well-head, associated with St Neots, Lyveden and Oxford-type wares. An undated oven was also found.

{8} During the 1968 season many 13th-14th century jug sherds of developed St Neots, Oxford and local green-glazed Lyveden ware were found in a deposit around a well-head, reconstructed c1600. The fine, daub-covered bake oven produced no dating evidence.

{9} The site excavated by Mr Fox is now under modern housing and a small market garden.

The pottery finds are in Kettering Museum.

Historic England, Undated, "HISTORY OF THREE MANORS IN ISHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE" (Archive). SNN113405.

<1> Brown A.E. (Ed.), 1967, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1966/67 (Medieval), p.25-26 (unchecked) (Article). SNN26725.

<2> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1969, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1967/68 (Medieval), 3/23+24 (unchecked) (Article). SNN57956.

<3> 1969, Medieval Archaeology (13), 13/273 (checked) (Journal). SNN38357.

<4> Fox J.R., 1975, History of Three Manors in Isham, Northants, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN43835.

<5> Fox J.R., 1976, Excavations at Isham, Northants: 1966-71, p.1+13-19 (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN58181.

<6> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.100 Site 4 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP87SE18 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<8> Department of Environment, 1969, Archaeological Excavations, 1968, 62 (Note). SNN110875.

<9> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 03-DEC-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 8:01PM