Monument record 4189 - Brampton Ash

Brampton Ash medieval & later village shrinkage remains

{1} Brass rubbing of Simon Norwich (1476).

{3} Settlement remains (SP 788874) formerly part of Brampton Ash village, lie on either side of the now isolated church, on sand at 130 m. aboveOD. Slight traces of ploughed-out rectangular embanked closes and disturbed areas suggest former buildings covering about 3 hectares. The site was already devoid of habitation in 1839. These somewhat indeterminate remains must reflect the expansion and contraction of the village throughout its recorded life, as well as, perhaps, some movement. Domesday Book gives a recorded population of 14 for Brampton. In 1332-4 the vill paid 50s.3/4 d. tax and in 1348-9 60s., in 1377 161 people over the age of 14 were taxed and in 1674 129
people are listed as paying Hearth Tax, an unusually large number. By 1801 the total population was only 79.

{7} In 1086 there were two manors as well as two holding belonging to sokemen. In the 14th century two manors are named, Netherhall and Overhall. Neither site is located. The Norwich mansion appears to have lain of the north side of the road opposite the church. Earthworks of a flight of fish ponds survive in the valley to the north-east. Fragmentary evidence from aerial and ground survey reveals that settlement extended around the now isolated church, showing that much of the medieval village plan has now been lost, probably as a result of imparkment by the Norwich family.

<1> Brass Rubbings at Ashmolean Museum, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41806.

<2> Billington V., 2000, Woad-Growing in Northamptonshire, p.59-70 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102516.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 10/Site 4 (Series). SNN77380.

<4> 1839, Brampton Ash Tithe Map (NRO T166) (Map). SNN102452.

<5> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/3; E179/155/28; E179/254/14 (Document). SNN115882.

<6> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 335-350 (Series). SNN100368.

<7> Foard, G.; Hall, D. & Partida, T., 2009, Rockingham Forest: An atlas of the medieval and early-modern landscape, p. 180-181 (Book). SNN106598.

Record last edited

Oct 1 2026 12:02PM