Monument record 249/10 - Possible deserted medieval settlement of Brime

Some sources place Brime in this location although later research has suggested that Culworth is a polyfocal settlement including Brime and Cotes.

{1} Brime, in Culworth (SP527484) was recorded in 1086. It was one of two manors, and in c 1300 it was sold to the owner of the second manor. In 1225 the guardian to the heir to one Culworth manor sued for the destruction of a manor house and other houses, but this cannot clearly be identified with this manor. (Standard abbreviations in article indicate no reference other than Domesday and precise location of site unknown. Not noted in 18 c/19 c county histories).

{2} There are no indications of desertion in the area of the quoted NGR (authy 1) other than those of Trafford (SP 54 NW 3) - APs also negative. The possibility must exist that Brime was the fore-runner of Trafford but such has not been suggested by either early historians or Beresford. Authy for NGR not determined.

{3} No change. No further information since report of 02/06/70.

{4} Settlement remains (SP 538471 and SP 545468). N.W. of the village 12th to 14th century and later pottery finds suggest former occupation on the S. side of the main street. To the S.E. fragmentary earthworks suggest building platforms. Apart from Culworth two other medieval settlements are recorded in the parish.
Brime (recorded in Domesday with a population of 12 including a priest) and Coten, Cotes, Cotes Culworth or Cotton beside Culworth, first mentioned c.1200. RCHM fieldwork at the previously suggested site of Brime (SP 527484) indicates no trace of former settlement, and it seems likely that Brime (and Cotes) now form part of the existing village and were not deserted but only lost their names. The record of a priest at Brime is significant since no other churches are known in the parish except that at Culworth. The plan of Culworth village, consisting of N.W. and S.E. elements with a central green fits the theory of three settlement later combined under one name

<1> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p. 36 (Report). SNN39628.

<2> Colquhoun, FD, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 FDC 02-JUN-70 (Notes). SNN111540.

<3> Tittensor, A J, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 AJT 14-OCT-76 (Notes). SNN113157.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 40/Site 2 (Series). SNN77382.

<5> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p. 52 (Series). SNN5881.

<6> 1977, Medieval Archaeology (21), p. 189 (Journal). SNN62222.

<7> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF CPE/UK/1992 fr.1099 (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:25PM