Monument record 1396/10 - Medieval settlement remains, Pytchley

Pytchley shrunken village

{1} Settlement Remains (SP 862745; Fig. 112), formerly part of Pytchley village, lie S. of The Elms, on limestone and clay at 82 m. above OD. The main part of the site is at the point where four hollow-ways meet to form a staggered cross-roads. These hollow-ways are between 1 m and 1.5 m deep except at the junction where they are up to 2.5 m deep. The hollow-way to the west extends towards the village and passes the manor house site or settlement remains (HER no 1396/3), as well as crossing another manor house site (HER no 1396/2). South-west of the cross-roads there is a series of indeterminate earthworks, much damaged by later tracks, which may be former house-sites. To the east, in the angle between the hollow-ways running east and north-east, is a block of slightly curved ridge-and-furrow which, at its south-east end, has a series of rectangular scarped and embanked enclosures, lying on top of the ridges. These appear to be the sites of former buildings, perhaps houses, with associated garden plots. The sides of the plots appear to have been laid out along the pre-existing ridges which have been heightened to form low banks. Within the largest plot a much degraded ridge is visible. The survival of these ridges suggests that the occupation of the site may have been relatively short, and the whole complex probably represents a temporary expansion of Pytchley village, at some point in the medieval period.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 123-5, Fig 112/Site 8 (Series). SNN77380.

<2> 1842, Pytchley Tithe Map (Map). SNN31396.

<3> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF/VAP CPE/UK/1925, 3235-7) (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 8:44PM