Monument record 9661 - Barford deserted medieval settlement

The deserted village of Barford located east of Rushton and about half a mile west of Barford Bridge near Barford Lodge. No earthworks remains have been found but cropmarks have been recorded on aerial photographs. The church previously stood on ground sloping north towards the river and skeletons were uncovered close by. In 1516 it was recorded that 'almost the whole village' was destroyed and the land converted to pasture but the remains of houses and a chapel were apparently still visible in the early 18th century.

{1} The deserted village of Barford lay near Barford Lodge in the area of c.SP853828. No earthworks remains have been found at this location, and it is assumed destroyed by ploughing and/or ironstone quarrying.
The village is recorded in Domesday with a population of seven. In 1383 the revenues from Geddington, Glendon and Barford were said to be less thasn one seventh of what they had previously been 'for lack of tenants'. In 1516 it was recorded that 'almost the whole village' was destroyed and the land converted to pasture. The village apparently had a chapel which still stood in the early 17th century but which had been destroyed by the early 18th century. Bodies are said to have been found there a little before 1720.

{2} East of Rushton and about half a mile west of Barford Bridge is Barford, formerly a town but now only a lodge remains (Barford Lodge SP 851 827). Marks of houses are still apparent. The church was standing on ground sloping north towards the river in 1625 but is now levelled. Skeletons were found nearby.

{4} Population of 7 recorded in Domesday. In 1327 14 tenants. In 1428 whole parish had fewer than 10 households. In 1515 6 houses – "almost the whole village" – destroyed and 86 acres enclosed and converted to pasture by George Boyvile. In 1547 500 sheep maintained. "The marks of houses" still apparent c.1720. Farm now demolished. Ironstone working close by.

{6} A series of indistinct earthworks was observed in the south-west corner of a pasture field, possibly representing settlement remains. Most of the rest of the field is occupied by ridge and furrow. The possible settlement appears to be set on a gravel knoll and to run beneath the railway bank and continue to the west. Possibly the remains of Barford deserted medieval village (previously unlocated).
(SP 8580 8285 ) A low east-west orientated rectangular ditched mound, possibly a pillow mound was partly buried by the railway embankment.

{7} Most of the indicated site has been quarried by Stewart and Lloyd Ironstone Co. There are no surveyable remains of desertion in the unquarried area

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.134 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.72+73 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100366.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP88SE2 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.35 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<5> HYLTON T.; MASTERS P., 1998, Empingham to Hannington Anglian Water Pipeline, Northamptonshire Section, Archaeological Evaluation: Stage 1, (unchecked) (Report). SNN63049.

<6> BELLAMY B., 1996, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN50322.

<7> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 05-AUG-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 7:53PM