Monument record 5649/0/7 - Medieval Plough Headland

Linear earthwork comprising a bank and ditch identified north of Passenham Manor. Excavations have revealed it to be a probable field boundary. It had previously been associated with Edward the Elder (c.917).

{1} (SP 778397) A broad bank and ditch to the north of Passenham Manor is considered by Dr Wainwright to be part of the English defences used in the campaigns against the Danes. (Edward the Elder rested his army at Passenham in 917 AD - A/S Chronicle).

{3} In the former Breach Field ridge and furrow is almost complete, and includes a massive headland, 30m wide x 2m high, running south-west to north-east. Its size has probably been accentuated by the fact that it follows the edge of the river terrace, and has led to its identification as part of the defences of a camp constructed by Edward the Elder in 921 during his campaign against the Danes. Excavations in 1967 however proved the earthwork to be part of the medieval field system.

{6}{7} A trench was cut across the earthwork during Easter 1967 by D. Mynard. He concluded that it was probably a medieval field bank.

{8} Bridges mentions a square entrenchment near the old ford at Passenham in the above context but Baker was unable to identify it.

<1> 1958, Wolverton and District Archaeological Newsletter, 3/2-3 (checked) (Newsletter). SNN26389.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP73NE3 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.110/Site 11 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 305 (Book). SNN77325.

<5> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1969, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1967/68 (Medieval), 3/26 (checked) (Article). SNN57956.

<6> 1968, Journal of The Wolverton and District Archaeological Society, 1/12-13 (checked) (Journal). SNN11928.

<7> Wilson D.M.; Gillian Hurst D. (Editors), 1968, Medieval Britain in 1967 (12), 12/193 (unchecked) (Notes). SNN55155.

<8> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, Vol2, p. 191 (Book). SNN10400.

Record last edited

Jan 9 2025 1:11PM