Monument record 393 - Braunston Cleves (Formerly also known as Fawcliff) deserted hamlet

Fawcliff Or Faleclive Or Braunston Cleves. A charter of Edward III confirming the possessions of Delapré Abbey mentions a place called Fawcliff in Braunston and this appears to have been the original name of the village. By the early 18th century, Bridges notes that it had been 'destroyed some ages since'. Drainage work in the early 19th century is said to have identified extensive foundations.

{1} The site of the village of Fawcliff or Faleclive is near Braunston-Lodge, [SP 554 676] a farm-house. Thomas Foster had discovered extensive foundations etc. in draining the land.

{2} Its history is largely unknown but it can perhaps be identified as the part of the C11th manor of Braunston belonging to William Trusbott which was divided between his three daughters. One third passed to Agatha Meinfelin who, dying without issue, bequeathed her possessions to Delapre Abbey in Northampton and to the Priory of Newstead near Stamford. A charter of Edward III confirming the possessions of Delapre Abbey mentions a place called Fawcliff in Braunston and this seems to have been the original name of the village. Nothing is known of the date of its desertion and certainly by the early C18th Bridges could claim that it had been 'destroyed some ages since'. Sometime before 1828 drainage work on site resulted in the discovery of 'extensive foundations'.

A series of slight depressions or platforms close to the hollow-way may be house-sites and there are fragments of closes bounded by low scarps and banks, extending W., two of which end on the edge of a stream. Below the stream and at the S. end of the site are other ditched enclosures and ditches along some of which the diverted stream flows. Several of these appear to be relatively modern and indeed had hedges beside them until recent years. They may be connected with the drainage work recorded in 1828.

{3} To the north-east of Braunston is the destroyed hamlet of Faleclive or Fawcliff, (a) mentioned in a charter granted by Edward III. "In the neighbouring inclosures, however, there are some wells still to be seen, with a lane entire."

{7} "Fawcliff 544 679 35 NE. This may be Braunston Cleves. Mr Franey suggests that it can be seen at the sharp bend in the lane to Barby."

{8} Management agreement.

{9} D.M.V. comprising of a few small enclosures and derelict roads in fair state of preservation clustered about a spring-head and its stream at SP 5440 6825. A few individual steads are
recognizable. Surveyed at 1/2500

{10} No change.

<1> DEACON T., 1828, History of Willoughby, p.9 (unchecked) (Book). SNN43570.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.23 Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.26 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP56NW3 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Dugdale, 1817, Monasticon Anglicanum, p.1018 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN9460.

<6> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p.15 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5881.

<7> Beresford M.W., 1954, The Lost Villages of England, p.367 (unchecked) (Extract). SNN7102.

<8> Supplementary File, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN51719.

<9> Wardale, C F, 1962, Field Investigators Comments (Note). SNN112949.

<10> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments (Notes). SNN112950.

<11> Royal Air Force, 1940s, RAF Vertical Aerial Photographs, RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994 2349-50 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105266.

<12> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 890810 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 2:31PM