Monument record 3551/0/12 - Medieval settlement, north of Station Road

Archaeological investigation identified medieval settlement dating from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The land was initially sub-divided into plots by a series of boundary ditches in the 12th century. The plots were probably used as paddocks or sheep fields. In the 13th/14th century a small stone structure with associated hearth was built; it is possible this was used for malting. A number of scattered pits also dated to the same phase. This activity is probably associated with the Deserted Medieval Settlement of Cotton immediately to the south.

{1} Trial trench excavation identified medieval features, including a hearth and a wall, ditches and a pit in two adjacent trenches. The remains may be associated with the deserted settlement of Cotton to the south and are likely to have been peripheral activity, possibly industrial in nature. A small pottery assemblage dated to the 12th-13th centuries.

{2} Archaeological excavation was undertaken. The earliest phase, dating to the 12th century, comprised the creation of a series of ditched plots. Environmental evidence suggests a pastoral use, such as paddocks or sheep fields. In the 13th-14th century a three-sided stone structure was constructed. The presence of an internal hearth suggests that the structure was more than just a simple shepherd's hut. A similar hearth was identified at Wood Burcote in a medieval malting house, so it is possible that something similar was taking place here, although there was no direct evidence.

<1> Sharrock, P, 2021, Archaeological Evaluation on land North of Grendon, Northamptonshire, February 2021 (Report). SNN113120.

<2> Crank, N. (Editor), 2022, South Midlands Archaeology (52), p. 61 (Journal). SNN115177.

<3> Rojek, A, 2022, Archaeological excavation at land north of Station Road, Grendon, Northamptonshire, January 2022 (Report). SNN115447.

<4> Crank, N. (Editor), 2023, South Midlands Archaeology (53), P. 66 (Journal). SNN116414.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:18PM