Monument record 7523/1 - Hale

The suggested location of 'Hale' , a medieval deserted settlement apparantly abandoned after the Black Death, also site of a church. [Alternative location seems more likely]

{1-2} The village of Hale was deserted after the Black Death. Ruins of houses and "three long streets" visible c 1720 ((seen by Bridges, who also states (II 461) that the church of St Nicholas was similarly deserted and fallen)) in Apethorpe Park {7}. Name perpetuated in Halefield Lodge. Site unlocated in 1963; TL 027934.
It is probably within the "tail" of Apethorpe parish which protrudes into Woodnewton and Southwick, this 'tail' being caused by the annexation of Hale parish to Apethorpe after the desertion.

{3} There is nothing suggestive of a DMV in the ara immediately around Halefield Lodge (Area TL 028933); but there is apparent extensive desertion around Cheeseman's Farm and Cheeseman's Lodge to the NW (HER no 2815).

{4} No surveyable remains around Halefield Lodge and no significant field names there either in Northants Field Name Survey (1932) (at CRO) or estate maps at Apethorpe. For the 'Cheeseman's' site see HER no 2815.

{5} No change from report of 6 4 70. Mr D Teall, former owner of this property, is a local historian
of some repute who, over many years, has thoroughly walked his land without finding trace of the village {8}.

{6} It is evident that the area surrounding Apethorpe Hall retains many features of historical significance and there is good evidence for a complex multi-period pattern of medieval settlement and land use. The earliest fragments of this include the site of a substantial Roman villa and hints of an attendant field system.

<1> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p. 24, 41 (Report). SNN39628.

<2> Salzman L.F.(ed), 1937, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p, 534, 547 (Series). SNN100371.

<3> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, APs CPE/UK/1925 Jan 47 1118-1119 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<4> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 06-APR-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<5> Colquhoun, FD, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 FDC 15-JUN-76 (Notes). SNN114457.

<6> McOmish, D, Barber, M, & Grady, D, 2005, Landscape Assessment at Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN113427.

<7> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 23 (Book). SNN77326.

<8> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Inf Mr D Teall "Home Close" Nassington Nr Peterborough (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<9> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), 890172 (Archive). SNN113295.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:14PM