Monument record 5138 - Upton

Well-preserved remains of a deserted medieval village, Probably of 12th century origin, consisting of a central hollow way bounded by low scarps on both sides most of which have traces of buildings within them. At the north end of the village the remains are cut across by the terraces of a 17th century garden. It is likely that the village was largely cleared in the late 15th century for sheep farming and further depopulation may have taken place in the early 18th century when a park was created. 3 medieval fishponds extend in a line down the hillside and are terminated by a larger pond lying across the slope. They are supplied by a spring which emerges to the north of the site and now fills a 19th century circular pond.

{1} Upton was first documented at Domesday of 1086. Held for Crown with a population of 20.

{2} Named in 1316.

{3} There were 11 houses in the parish in 1720.

{4} The remains of Upton village are well-preserved. They consist of a central north-south hollow way, up to 1.5 metres deep, formerly the main street, edge on both sides by short closes bounded by low scarps, most of which have traces of buildings within them. The west side of the site is bounded by a continuous scarp, 0.25 metres high, while the east side has a shallow ditch or hollow way, 0.5 metres deep. At the north end the remains are cut across by the terraces of a 17th century garden. (See illustration card).

It is likely that the village was largely cleared in the late 15th century for sheep farming and further depopulation may have taken place in the early 18th century when a park was created.

The most curious aspect of the surviving earthworks is their distance from the parish church. It is unlikely that they ever extended as far as the church and they are more probably part of a polyfocal village or the result of a re-location of the village from an earlier position around the church. The remarkable regular form of the earthworks is reminiscent of sites for which a planned 12th century origin has been suggested.

SP 722 600: Ridge and furrow is visible on the ground and on air photographs. The best remains are to be found in Upton Park.

{5} There were 26 tenements c.1500.

{6} 24 houses were recorded in 1477.

{12} The village was probably cleared in the late 15th century and the area given over to sheep farming. Possibly the village originally ran up to the church and hall but the subsequent emparking of the area has destroyed all evidence of this.

{16} SP 717 603: Upton DMV. Population of 20 at Domesday, 49 taxpayers in 1301, mentioned in Nomina Villarum in 1316, Lay Subsidy of 72s 6d in 1334, 9 taxpayers in 1524, 13 separate houses in 1674, 11 families in 1720, 4 houses in 1801, 59 inhabitants in 1841. Enclosure mentioned circa 1729, which might account for the population drop up to 1801. No surface remains found (up to 1958) and site thought to be covered by Hall and park, except for some outlying farms.

{17} Site discovered at SP 719 598 and scheduled. "A good example, intact, of the local type of medieval village. There are about 20 very clear tofts, with associated hollow-ways, and lanes. Over two-thirds of the earthworks are of good quality. Extent: some 8 acres".

{18} Aps show only a few ragged remains of DMV character in the area scheduled. The only discernible hollow way appears to be an old course of the main road along the east side of the site.

<1> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.306 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<2> 1316, Nomina Villarum, p.20 (checked) (Document). SNN8783.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.538 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.408/Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<5> Supplementary File, (part checked) (Uncertain). SNN51630.

<6> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.147 (checked) (Book). SNN1032.

<7> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M245 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<8> Beamish H., 2003, Proposed Link Road at Land North of Weedon Road Upton South West Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN103242.

<9> Butler A.; Foard-Colby A., 2006, Geophysical Survey & Archaeological Evaluation at Quinton House School, Upton, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105875.

<10> Foard-Colby A.; Walker C., 2007, Archaeological Excavation at Quinton House School, Upton, Northampton, January - February 2007, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105992.

<11> Wilson D.M. (Editor), 1976, The Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon England, (unchecked) (Book). SNN107011.

<12> Shaw M., 1990, Archaeological Evaluation At Upton, Northampton (South West District), (checked) (Report). SNN102374.

<13> SHAW M., 1992, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49530.

<14> Billington V., 2000, Woad-Growing in Northamptonshire, p.59-70 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102516.

<15> 1848, Upton Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN109588.

<16> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p. 47 (Report). SNN39628.

<17> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, DOE (IAM) Rec Form 13-11-1973 (See Illustration Card for plan) (Report). SNN112993.

<18> Aerial Photograph, OS APs 63 133 048-9 (Photographs). SNN112974.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:05PM