Monument record 1301/0/41 - Saxon and medieval settlement, north of the Manor House

Trial trench evaluation of land to the north of Gages Manor in 1991 identified extensive settlement evidence dating to the Saxon and medieval periods. Early-middle Saxon occupation is suggested by residual pottery in later features, but the highest density of features dated to the late Saxon period and included plot boundaries, quarries and structures. Very little evidence of medieval settlement was identified, with most of it concentrated towards the manor. The remainder of the site appears to have been a paddock, which use could have persisted for centuries. Scheduled Monument.

{2} An archaeological evaluation was carried out at Manor House in 1991. A total of six trenches were excavated and a geophysical survey of part of the site was carried out.
The results of the geophysical survey suggest the presence of quarries in the south-western part of the evaluation area. Faint traces of what may be ditches were also identified.
Evidence of settlement was observed in all six trial trenches, although the nature and characteristics of the occupation cannot be fully defined from the limited evaluation. A small number of Iron Age and Roman pottery sherds in later features suggest some form of settlement nearby and, similarly, fifty sherds of early-middle Saxon pottery were largely recovered from later features, although a small number of pits and postholes and a ditch contained stratified pottery. Settlement activity reached a peak in the late Saxon period and based on an initial interpretation four groups of features were identified: boundary ditches, quarries, structures and miscellaneous features. Later, medieval, activity was confined to the areas closest to the Manor House, indicating the remainder of the site was returned to agricultural use, perhaps for centuries.

{4} Evidence of extensive settlement dating to the Saxon and medieval periods was recovered. All trenches contained cut features, including postholes, gullies, ditches and large quarry pits, at depths of only 0.15 m - 0.4 m. No structural patterning could be observed, possibly due to the small scale nature of the work. The ceramics recovered during the excavation range from early/ middle Saxon wares to late
medieval types. A predominance of late Saxon wares suggests a peak of activity at this time. The presence of Ipswich ware pottery, albeit in small quantity, in some contexts suggests occupation during the middle Saxon period.

{6} In the late Saxon period, four ditches may denote plot boundaries, a narrow slot may be part of a contemporary structure and a single line of postholes could represent a short fence.

{7} The Scheduled area includes the Manor House site as well as an extensive area to the east which does not appear to have been investigated in the past, although the very eastern edge of the area may include part of an early Saxon cemetery.

<1> AUDOUY M., 1992, Raunds Area Project: Manor House, Manor Street, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN50312.

<2> Webster M.C.; Audouy M.F.A., 1992, Archaeological Evaluation at Raunds Manor House, Northants, (checked) (Report). SNN1396.

<3> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.210 (checked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<4> Pike, A (ed), 1992, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (22), 22/39 (checked) (Journal). SNN100613.

<5> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, 24/123 (checked) (Article). SNN104441.

<6> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p.225 (checked) (Book). SNN105780.

<7> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1986, DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Northamptonshire (Parts 5-8) (Schedule). SNN104787.

Record last edited

Jan 30 2024 11:48AM