Monument record 305 - Thorpe Mandeville

Settlement remains suggest slight village shrinkage.

{1} The ‘open fields of Thorpe Mandeville’ existed in 1588 but by 1600 deeds refer to enclosures 'digged and enclosed' by Richard Westover of Thorpe (NRO X8477). Later 17th-century deeds describe many closes (Idem deed 18 Nov. 1647), yet Bridges says it was open in c.1720. Perhaps there was a partial enclosure, because there were over 60 acres of closes in the glebe 1682-1723 which increased to 178 acres in 1742 (NRO Thorpe Mandeville glebe terriers).

Mapped from an 1806 copy of a 1774 map of the Lordship of Thorpe Mandeville (NRO map 3518). The map shows several closes that contain very large fishponds some of which are still there on 1880s OS map. Though the ponds have not been mapped separately their presence has been noted in the browser. There was some subdivision of large enclosures from 1774 map to OS 1st edition 1:10560 of 1880s but the pattern of enclosures largely unchanged. Some of the very small closes may be spinneys. The 1774 map does not show trees but on 1880s maps some of these small closes are spinneys.

{2} There are good earthworks from the site of the manor and its post medieval gardens but little related to the medieval village. The documentary record of the settlement is not particularly good and no evidence exists in the plan form for the existence of a market place. The site was therefore not examined in more detail as part of the EUS.

{3} The village of Thorpe Mandeville has always been small, though it appears to have had some reduction of population in the late or post-medieval period. Domeday Book only lists a recorded population of nine. In 1301 23 taxpayers contributed to the Lay Subsidy and in 1334 the village paid 33s. 10d., a relatively low amount. In 1377, 78 people over the age of 14 paid Poll Tax but the 1523 Subsidy was paid by only 14 people and only 14 householders paid the Hearth Tax of 1673.

{11} Possibly not taken forward to Stage 2 survey and assessment.

<1> Hall D.N.; Britnell T., 2000?, South Northamptonshire Historic Landscape: Part III, p.15 (unchecked) (Report). SNN103302.

<2> Taylor J.; Foard G.; Ballinger J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Overview, Appendix 2 (unchecked) (Report). SNN103118.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.146 site 2 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<4> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.344 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<5> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/31 (Document). SNN115882.

<6> Miscellaneous documents in PRO
suggest possible house platforms adjoining a broad hollow-way N of
Dingley Hall., E179/155/3 (Document). SNN46340.

<7> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/27 (Document). SNN115882.

<8> PRO series E179, PRO, E179/155/159 (Document). SNN115882.

<9> PRO series E179, PRO E179/254/14 (Document). SNN115882.

<10> Unknown, 1896, A History of The Parish of Thorpe Mandeville, (checked) (Chapter). SNN55175.

<11> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994, 1025-7) (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Feb 15 2024 11:17AM