Monument record 1174/0/1 - Medieval/Post Medieval Settlement Earthworks

Earthworks of possible village shrinkage identified at Passenham. The earliest documentary reference to a settlement at Passenham occurs in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle c925. A map of c1600 shows houses on both sides of the village street. Those on the north east side now survive only as earthworks. At least seven building platforms are visible.

{1} Many of the houses are shown in 1600.

{2} Earthworks of at least seven house platforms on the north-east side of the street. Low banks and scarps. Traces of former closes are separated from ridge and furrow by a 0.5m high bank. There are more indeterminate earthworks on the south side of the street. A 15m wide hollow way is located at the east end of the street, running northwards towards Stony Stratford.

Settlement remains at Passenham (SP 781393). Passenham first mentioned in the Anglo Saxon Chronicle c.925. Domesday book records two manors (population 20) including Deanshanger, with which Passenham is combined in medieval tax records. 1523 10 Lay Subsidy payers listed. 1720 village described as having 6 houses. A map of 1600 shows houses on both sides of the village street. Those on the NE side survive only as earthworks suggesting at least 7 building platforms. RCHM plan.

<1> 1600, Passenham Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN27573.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.110 Site 7 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP: SP7839/2-3+5 (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<4> PRO series E179, E179/155/140 (Document). SNN115882.

<5> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, P.307,321 (Series). SNN100368.

<6> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, P. 305 (Book). SNN77325.

Record last edited

Feb 15 2024 3:45PM