Monument record 1301/0/24 - Area of medieval settlement, Northdale End

Earthworks of rectangular closes some of which contained the sites of former buildings were visible over an area of c3ha. Archaeological excavation has identified evidence of medieval agriculture and possible settlement originating in the 11th century, including ditched enclosures and possible timber structures, with a manorial farm developing close to the Midland Road frontage in the 14th century. Although the manor house itself was not located, elements of the farm complex including a dovecote, malthouse and barns were excavated.

{1} Settlement remains (TL 004733) lie immediately N of the village on clay at 52 m. above OD. An area of c.3ha is occupied by several rectangular closes marked by low scarps and banks, some of which contain the sites of former buildings.

{2} Geophysical survey was undertaken. Magnetic anomalies may be indicative of archaeological potential, although they are not as strong as those seen in the rest of the site and which are interpreted as indicative of medieval settlement features.

{3} Trial trench excavation in field 5 identified a small number of features in the western part of the field. The archaeological deposits identified in field 5 were confined to three trenches. The earliest feature was a late Saxon curvilinear ditch cut by two later ditches. There were further later ditches within the trench; the
identified ditches appear to relate to enclosure activity dating from between the 10th and 13th centuries AD. A hearth discovered within the topsoil horizon appeared to be a later feature, probably of post-Medieval date.
Further ditches and pits were identified in two other trenches; it is likely they are outlying features associated with the activity identified to the northwest.

{5} Archaeological excavation identified medieval and post-medieval activity originating in the 11th century. The earliest activity represented peripheral settlement remains comprising a series of small rectilinear paddocks defined by ditches located towards the north-eastern end of the excavation area, away from the Midland Road frontage. A possible timber structure and fence-line were also identified. During the 12th to 13th century the settlement pattern changed with the formation of larger enclosures that replaced the smaller paddocks. A group of postholes towards the Midland Road frontage may have been a building; many of the postholes contained packing stones or postpads. The area was further re-organised in the 13th and 14th centuries; five rectilinear enclosures were created. These were larger and more regular in layout than the earlier features. To the south a manorial farm complex developed; which was connected to the enclosures by a route or trackway. The presumed manor house or manorial farmhouse may have been located where 'Providence House' now stands. Within the excavation area lay a circular dovecote, which in the 16th century was replaced by a rectangular version on the same footprint.

By the 14th century, the enclosures had gone out of use and the manorial complex expanded; a paved yard area was shared between the dovecote and a malthouse situated to the south and a rubble trackway separated the dovecote from a possible field shelter. A large stone barn, possible stables, field shelter, ponds and further yard areas were also recorded.

{7,8} Probable remains of medieval and/or post-medieval settlement are visible as cropmarks on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Located on the south side of Brooks Road near the junction with Midland Road and centred at TL 00394 73306, the earthworks comprise an area of amorphous banks, ditches and hollows, abutting which appears to be a small block of ridge and furrow cultivation earthworks that already appears to have been mostly plough-levelled by 1947

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.192/Site 28 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Bartlett A., 2010, Northdale End, Raunds, Northamptonshire: Report on Archaeogeophysical Survey 2010, (checked) (Report). SNN108048.

<3> Bartlett A., 2010, Northdale End, Raunds, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Trial Trenching Summary of Results (Interim Report). SNN108049.

<4> Coates G.; Richmond A., 2010, Archaeological Evaluation (Trial Trenching): Northdale End, Raunds, Northamptonshire, p.34 (checked) (Report). SNN107898.

<5> Elston J, 2018, Archaeological excavations on land at Midland Road, Raunds Northamptonshire, Assessment Report and Updated Project Design (Report). SNN111509.

<6> Crank, N. (Editor), 2019, South Midlands Archaeology (49), p. 80 & figs 10, 11 (Journal). SNN111755.

<7> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography (Photographs). SNN104890.

<8> Vertical Aerial Photograph, EARTH.GOOGLE.COM 12-OCT-2016 ACCESSED 19-OCT-2018 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<9> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, Aerial Survey Record. Material held by Aerial Survey (Archive). SNN113023.

<10> Finn, C, 2022, A Bronze Age cremation cemetery and medieval manorial farm complex on land at Midland Road, Rauds, Northamptonshire, June-December 2016 (Report). SNN115876.

Record last edited

Jan 17 2024 11:59AM