Monument record 1681/3/5 - Late Saxon and medieval settlement, Brigstock Manor

A limited rescue excavation was undertaken in 1983 in the grounds of Brigstock Manor. A possible late Saxon building, a large late Saxon/medieval ditch and a substantial medieval or post-medieval wall footing were found. The wall may be a precursor of the current north-western boundary wall of the manor.

{1} Limited archaeological rescue excavation was carried out in 1983 in the grounds of Brigstock Manor, Northamptonshire to determine whether its origins could be dated to the Late Saxon
period.

Part of a possible post-in-trench structure of late Saxon date was identified. A shallow gully aligned NW to SE was traced over a length of 8m. It was 0.35m wide with near vertical sides. Two sub-circular post holes spaced 3.5m apart were cut into the top of the infill. They were both 0.7 in diameter with sloping sides 0.2m deep and rounded bases.
A series of metalled surfaces was uncovered at the south east of the site to the east of the possible building. The surfaces were comprised of small pieces of stone compacted into soil. One showed sides of burning on one face. The relationship between the metalling and possible structure could not be established since their intersection was destroyed by a later feature.

There was substantial ditch, 2m wide with a V-shaped profile 2.3m deep, running from north east to south west. Late Saxon pottery was recovered from the infill. This large ditch presumably forms part of a boundary of late Saxon date. A clay layer that had accumulated against the south face of the ditch possibly represents an internal bank which eroded into the ditch as it fell into disuse. There were signs of recutting of the ditch: the infill for the recut contained pottery from the late 10th or early 11th century.

A sub circular pit, 1.5-2m across, had been cut into the natural clay at the north east of the site. Its sides were heavily burnt and the infill comprised large patches of charcoal and reddened stone and mortar. Pottery sherds of late Saxon and medieval date were recovered. It seems likely that this feature represents the remains of some sort of hearth.

The footings of a substantial stone wall c.1.3m wide ran across the centre of the site. The SE end of the wall where it crossed the disturbed area was set in an asymmetrical construction trench 2.8m wide. The footings were constructed using large limestone blocks up to 0.75m across, bonded with mortar which formed the outer facing to a rubble core set in orange-yellow mortar. Up to 5 courses of stone survived to a height of 0.5m. A semi circular buttress was bonded to the S side of the wall. The excavators considered the wall to be of medieval origin.

A narrow, post medieval wall was uncovered following a roughly east-west alignment and a few sherds of post medieval pottery were recovered. Post medieval landscaping was also seen which appeared to have removed any archaeological layers from the north of the site.

{2} The poor preservation of the remains of the late Saxon structure precludes any interpretation of its likely form or function. The wall may be of medieval or slightly later origin and could be a forerunner to the present boundary wall located less than 10m to the north.

<1> Steadman, S., 1992, Excavations at Brigstock Manor, Northants, in 1983 (Report). SNN45541.

<2> Steadman, S., 1994, Excavations at Brigstock Manor, Northamptonshire, in 1983, p.119-2 (checked) (Article). SNN40496.

<3> FOARD G.R., 1983, Brigstock Manor, (checked) (Interim Note). SNN45540.

Record last edited

Jun 9 2022 2:14PM