Monument record 394 - Braunstonbury

Earthwork remains of a deserted Medieval settlement.

{1} DMV earthworks. It would appear that CUAP Index record(s) for the DMV of Braunstonbury have previously been mislocated to SP539638.

{2} Site inspection by Graham Cadman, Northamptonshire Heritage on scheduled area of Braunstonbury deserted medieval village. A small amount of erosion and damage to the site has been caused by vehicles and stock.

{4} The village was a manor which belonged to Lilleshall Abbey in Shropshire, and was still tenanted in 1421. At the Dissolution these lands were sold to the Earl of Rutland. The earthworks of the deserted medieval village of Braunstonbury cover an area measuring approximately 275m x 350m. Banks and ditches up to 1m high indicate the location of hollow ways and tracks which ran through the village, and raised rectangular areas beside the tracks are the sites of building platforms.

{5} NCCAPs: SP5265/001+5+8, SP5363/001, SP5365/002-8.

{6} The close proximity of the site to Braunston is unusual and the earthworks suggest that it may have originated as a deliberately planned settlement. Documentary history difficult to trace because of grouping of Braunstonbury with Braunston,Braunston Cleves and Little Braunston in records. It was presumably included within one of the two entries for Braunston in Domesday and is perhaps part of the three and a half hide manor of Walter de Aincurt with a recorded population of 17. Other land in the village was held by the Priory of Newstead, Stamford. May have been held by William Trusbott soon after the Conquest,and subsequently by Abbey of Lilleshall,Shrops.This land still tenanted in 1421. The Estate Map of 1785 shows the area devoid of buildings but also shows the medieval boundaries of the village. emains described 1791. Rectangular area of earthwork remains c200 x 250m. Layout and 'burh' element of place name suggest planned foundation. Large amounts of 13th to 14th century pottery from stream bank along N of area.Relationship with Wolfhamcote (SP 56 NW 1) unclear. Detailed RCHM plan published.Fishpond (site) to the N of the village remains shown as Fish Wier in 1785 and 1842. 1305 described as 'a meadow called Fiswere'.

{10} The thirteenth-century manorial surveys speak of a manor of Braunston and Braunstonberry. The whole area shown in the photograph [AO:60:329:6] is still known as Berryfields and the field with the earthworks as Chapel Field. [centred SP 533 656] There is no doubt that the rectangular earthwork (centre), [SP 5321 6568] with two isolated trees growing by its corner, is a manor-house site. Its defensive ditch is linked with the outfall of a large fishpond now represented by the flat, unridged surface of the playing field, [centred SP 532 658] still called Fish Weir field. The remains of the dam which retained the water can be seen at the further end of the field.

{11} D.M.V. under pasture and in a fair state of preservation although few individual steads are recognisable. As described by Beresford.
Surveyed at 1/2500

{12} No change.

{13} The name-form 'Braunstonberry' is one of a number with 'berry' and 'bury' elements, the latter predominating. The site is scheduled as the 'deserted village of Braunstonbury'.

<1> FOARD G.R., Oral Report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN51312.

<2> Cadman, G., 1995, Braunstonbury DMV and Surrounds: Site Inspection Notes, (checked) (Report). SNN107606.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP56NW10 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> English Heritage, 1992, English Heritage Scheduling Notification, (checked) (Report). SNN47128.

<5> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<6> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.21-2 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<7> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.308, 340 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<8> 1785, Estate Map of Braunston, (unchecked) (Map). SNN9436.

<9> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.36 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<10> Beresford, M.W. & St. Joseph, J.K.S., 1958, Medieval England: An Aerial Survey, p. 119-120 (Book). SNN77361.

<11> Wardale, C F, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F1 CFW 16-MAY-62 (Note). SNN112949.

<12> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F2 FDC 17-MAR-69 (Notes). SNN112950.

<13> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p. 15 (Series). SNN5881.

<14> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, AP (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994 4352-3) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<15> Aerial Photograph, AP (CUAP AGV 20,AHG 29,LT 19-20,XT 50-3) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<16> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 890812 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 2:31PM