Monument record 20 - Appletree deserted medieval village

Appletree was not recorded by name until 1175, it was usually taxed with Aston. In the 14th century there were nine people with land in the open fields.

{1} Plan. Appletree was one of two medieval settlements in the parish, each with its own land. Appletree was not recorded by name until 1175 but was presumably included in the large six-hide manor of Aston le Walls listed in Domesday Book with a recorded population of 25. Noted as a separate place in 1316 but thereafter was always taxed with Aston. In the 15th century nine people were documented as holding land in the common fields but in 1509 one of the two manors there, held by Chacombe Priory, was let apparently without undertenants. In 1539 8 able bodied men are listed in the Muster Rolls.

On both sides of the hollow ways are slight traces of embanked and scarped closes, as well as some large levelled platforms edged by scarps up to 2.5m high. Few certain house sites can be identified. One area at the north end of the site has been ploughed in low ridge and furrow. A small quantity of green-glazed pottery, probably of late medieval date, has been found on the south west side of the main hollow way.

{2} SP 483 497: Appletree DMV. Usually taxed with Aston, half Appletree was owned with this and half by Chalcombe Priory. In the C14 there were 9 persons with land in open fields. The monastic manor was let in 1509, apparently then without tenants. 8 able bodied men in 1539 lived there. Two farms and one cottage remain. The site was in excellent condition in 1958.

{4} Appletree was a separate township lying west of Aston Le Walls. The township boundary between the two can be ascertained from the Tithe Map, the schedule of which allots every field to either Appletree or Aston. Appletree was open with yardlands purchased in 1609. It was enclosed in 1621, probably by Francis Plowden, the lord. The tithe map shows Appletree reduced to three buildings.

Aerial photos NCCAP: SP4849/1-13

{7} See annotated 25" survey.

{8} House sites and surrounding rig and furrow visible round Appletree House and and West View.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.8-9 site 1 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.34 (checked) (Report). SNN39628.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP44NE5 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Hall D.N.; Britnell T., 2000?, South Northamptonshire Historic Landscape: Part III, P.8 (unchecked) (Report). SNN103302.

<5> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.345 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<6> 1316, Nomina Villarum, (unchecked) (Document). SNN8783.

<7> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, 17/Apr (Notes). SNN110341.

<8> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, AP's (58/RAF/1567,143,4 21/9/54) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1834, OS First Edition 1 Inch Mapping Series (Map). SNN17499.

<10> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926, 3072) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<11> Aerial Photograph, A/P (CUAP AW040, AZX39, NU66) (Photographs). SNN112974.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 1:55PM