Monument record 4140 - Gretton

Gretton may have been the centre of a Saxon royal estate, although in 1086 only Duddington was a dependency. The Domesday Book notes that much was lacking from the manor in 1086 which had belonged to it in 1066 including both woodland and iron-workings. The earliest fabric of St James Church dates from the 12th century but the presence of a priest in 1086 suggests that it replaced an earlier church.

{2} Documentary evidence. Site of 11th-century ironworks somewhere in the parish. There were ironworks in Gretton in Edward the Confessor's reign. These had lapsed by 1086.

{3} 'Huge heaps of iron slag' at Gretton.

{6} Possibly the centre of a Saxon royal estate, although in 1086 only Duddington was a dependancy. In 1086 the manor belonged to the crown but much was wanting from it that had been attached in 1066, including dues from iron smiths and an extensive tract of woodland, which by 1086 had been incorporated into the new Royal Forest.

{7} Drawing with dimensions of puddingstone quern possibly found at Gretton;

<1> 1587, Map of Gretton (NRO Map 3597), (unchecked) (Map). SNN233.

<2> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 305 (Series). SNN100368.

<3> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire (Book). SNN10113.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP89SE19 (Index). SNN443.

<5> Clarke, S., 2014, An archaeological desk-based assessment for land adjacent to The Yews, 24 High Street, Gretton, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN110175.

<6> Foard, G.; Hall, D. & Partida, T., 2009, Rockingham Forest: An atlas of the medieval and early-modern landscape, p. 222-225 (Book). SNN106598.

<7> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/128/1 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Jul 21 2026 3:08PM