Monument record 365 - Trafford deserted settlement

First mentioned in the Domesday Book. It appears to have been deserted by the mid 16th century. By the early 19th century only the present farmhouse and the existing cottages to the north remained. Earthworks remains of a 'street', several steadings and a pond were recorded in 1970.

{1} SP 527486. Trafford. A Domesday village, usually taxed with Byfield. The manor was owned in the 13th and 14th c's by the de Trafford family. In 1547 600 sheep were kept. Now only Trafford House remains.

{2} The village is first mentioned in Domesday Book when it was listed as a small manor with a recorded population of 6. In 1301 13 taxpayers paid the Lay Subsidt but this is the last record of its population. Trafford is mentioned by name in the Nomina Villarum of 1316 but thereafter it was always taxed with Byfield. By 1547 600 sheep were kept on the manor which suggests that it was already depopulated. By the early 19th century only the present farmhouse and the existing cottages to the north remained, although at least part of the east-west hollow way appears still to have been used as a track.

{4} Lay in a detached part of Byfield parish until the late 19th century.

{6} Trafford was part of Byfield parish, but always a separate detached township. It was still open in 1417 (Spencer 1281) but enclosed before 1547 (Allison et al 1966, 47). Closes are recorded in 1637 (Photostat 1030).
Byfield enclosure map (NRO 56p/501) of 1779 includes Trafford. Large enclosures shown on 1779 map have been subdivided by 1880s OS first edition 1:10560 mapping, almost doubling the number of closes in the township. The only buildings shown on the 1779 map are in a close called ‘old town’ (noted in browser). These have been extended by 1880s and several other buildings added throughout the township.

{11} Medieval and post medieval quarrying lies to the east, which may be associated with Trafford Manor deserted village.

{12} No house plots are visible but the bounds of the DMV are clearly defined by the rig and furrow surrounding Trafford House.

{13} The surviving earthworks of this village comprise a 'street' from W to E, where it turns S to the river; several steadings, and a pond with other adjacent possibly water features. See annotated 25" survey. The present Trafford house appears to be mid 18th c.

{14} No change since report of 21.4.70. Survey still correct and transferred to MSD.

<1> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.47 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.30/Site 10 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP54NW3 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> 1837, Byfield Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN10065.

<5> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.332 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<6> Hall D.N.; Britnell T., 2000?, South Northamptonshire Historic Landscape: Part III, p.10 (checked) (Report). SNN103302.

<7> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/31 (Document). SNN115882.

<8> 1316, Nomina Villarum, (unchecked) (Document). SNN8783.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1834, First Edition Ordnance Survey 1 Inch Map Series (Sheet 52), (unchecked) (Map). SNN281.

<10> 1996, Trafford Deserted Medieval Village, (checked) (Plan). SNN108996.

<11> Clements P., 2010, An Archaeological Watching Brief at Welsh Road, Chipping Warden, Northamptonshire 2010, p.1 (checked) (Report). SNN107217.

<12> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF CPE/UK/1926 1065-6 16-JAN-47 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<13> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 21-APR-70 (Notes). SNN111541.

<14> Tittensor, A J, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 AJT 14-OCT-76 (Notes). SNN113157.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:28PM