Monument record 2903/0/1 - Site of probable deserted medieval farmstead, east of Frere Hill Wood

The site of a medieval farmstead which could date to 1381. All that remains is a small, level and raised area. Finds include Cistercian ware sherds and a few Nene Valley Romano British sherds.

{2}Deserted medieval farmstead in the west of the parish, at a springhead, on the south side of a broad valley on limestone at 200ft above OD. The ploughing of a small level platform, some 30m square, has revealed a scatter of stone in addition to medieval and post-medieval pottery. A few Roman sherds have also been noted. The site is probably a medieval farmstead, associated with the clearance or assarting of forest in the area. Such assarts are recorded in the parish in 1381.

{3} Fieldwalking medieval and post-medieval pot sherds including Cistercian Ware as well as 'a few sherds' of Nene Valley Ware Roman pottery;

{4}Finds; 1963; large stones and medieval pot sherds; reported in 1983; SP 989921.

{5} SP 9890 9222: A small relatively level and raised area (house-steading) beside a spring-head which yields Cistercian ware sherds in the ploughsoil - also a few Nene Valley Romano British sherds. Perambulated on information from the farmer of Cross Way Hand Lodge.

[6} Indicated site surrounded by high crop and not perambulated. A "flattening" of the crop level at the site is indicative of some surface disturbance. Only normal field debris is evident at the field edge.
The topographical situation is at the bottom of a steep north facing slope.

Aps (a) shown no indication of building.

<1> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN100369.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.89/Site 14 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP99SE5 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> FOARD G.R., 1983, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN50927.

<5> GSL, 1970, Field Investigators Comments, F1 GSL 29-OCT-1970 (Note). SNN112507.

<6> Colquhoun, FD, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 FDC 21-JUN-1976 (Notes). SNN114457.

<7> Aerial Photograph, APs (OS/73/035/141-2 1973) (Photographs). SNN112974.

Record last edited

Feb 1 2023 12:42PM