Monument record 2402/0/4 - Site of a medieval building, Churchfield

Site of a medieval late 12th century or early 13th century building excavated in Churchfield. Possibly either a chapel of ease or a domestic building.

{1} Some limestone walls, part of a rectangular building, were excavated by Oundle School in 1960—64. These were later surveyed but proved difficult to interpret. These appeared to be several rooms of a substantial domestic building.

{2} The remains are difficult to interpret but seem to represent several rooms of a substantial domestic building of local limestone with unmortared walls. A wall on the north west of the site may belong to another phase or building since its stones are larger and its thickness greater. Lying around were many fragments of green glazed tiles, stone roofing tiles and pottery, mostly of buff shelly wares.

{4} Originally interpreted by Oundle School as being the foundations of an Early English church, remains of the chapel of ease to Oundle Church. Encaustic tiles and uncovered architectural detail have given a provisional date of c.1230 to the main building.

{5} [TL 00398764] The foundations of an Early English church have been excavated at Churhfield. This was a chapel of ease to Oundle Church and is mentioned in every record up to Somerset's Commission in 1549. There was an earlier Saxon Church most likely, as the original name was Circefeld.

{6} Site now in the process of excavation by the senior boys of Oundle School under the direction of Mr. S.D. Londesborough. Encaustic tiles and uncovered architectural detail have given a provisional date of c.1230 to the main building. A complete report is to be forwarded to Division later in the year. Excavated walling to be supplied by Field Surveyor.
GP AO/62/51/7 Foundation walling of church from west.
/8 Foundation walling from East.

{7} See annotated 25" survey of building foundation.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.18 sute 5 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> Brown A.E. (Ed.), 1967, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1966/67 (Medieval), p.22 (checked) (Article). SNN26725.

<3> OUNDLE SCHOOL, NOTES ON EXCAVATION, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN47517.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL08NW22 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Letter (S.D. Londesborough, 9.8.60 AO/SP/11A ) (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<6> Colquhoun, FD, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F1 FDC 17-MAY-62 (Note). SNN111652.

<7> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F2 JB 02-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<8> Historic England, FRAGMENT OF WINDOW TRACERY AT PRESENT FARMHOUSE,FROM EARLY ENGLISH CHURCH OR SUBSTANTIAL DOMESTIC BUILDING (12TH CENT.), BB73/01297 (Archive). SNN114882.

Record last edited

Oct 4 2023 8:42AM