Monument record 3907/0/41 - Possible Medieval/Post Medieval Enclosure

{1} Near the church the hollow way to Geddington also forms the east side of a massive enclosure, covering at least 2.5ha, and sited immediately north of Weekley village. Where the hollow way bifurcates a scarp up to 2m high and much damaged by later quarrying, turns westwards and runs for some 200m until, just short of the present A43, it turns south. Here it takes the form of a double scarp 1.5m high. It can be traced for about 100m after which it gradually disappears and is replaced by a ditch 10m wide x 0.25m deep. The latter extends southwards as far as the village. No south side to the enclosure has been traced and its date and purpose remain unknown. It was certainly in existence in the mid C18th when it, and the hollow way, were recognised and described by William Stukeley (in 1744). On the evidence of a single Roman coin found by Stukeley nearby he described the earthwork as a "Roman Camp". Either the enclosure or the hollow way may also relate to the mysterious 'trench' first recorded by Bridges in the early C18th and also thought to be Roman.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.153 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.344 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<3> 1887, SURTEES SOCIETY (80/66), (unchecked) (Series). SNN29274.

Record last edited

May 10 2012 4:41PM