Monument record 494 - Snorscomb

Slight earthworks of deserted Medieval village, although much surface quarrying has resulted in no surveyable remains for part of the site. First recorded in 944.

{1} First mentioned in a Saxon Charter of 944 (BCS 792) where part of the bounds of its land is noted. Listed in Domesday as held by the Count of Mortain and divided into two small manors of half and one and a half viragtes respecively, with a total recorded population of only four. In the reign of Henry II it was assessed at four virgates. Little is known of its history after this time beyond the descent of the manors. Probably included with Everdon for taxation. In 1531 the largest manor was purchased by the Knightley family of Fawsley who were soon prosecuted for enclosure of 200 acres of land and the destruction of nine houses there. In the early C18th Bridges described it as "a hamlet of five houses, including the mill, but reputed to have been formerly a more considerable village". By the early C19th only the farm and a single cottage, both of which still stand, are shown, together with the mill which lies 500m to the north on a larger stream. The original boundaries of the land of Snorscomb are shown on a map of the area dated 1816.
The remaining earthworks lie east of the present farm and are mainly confined to a small triangular area between the two streams which meet a little to the north-west. Both streams are in steep-sided valleys which appear to have been used as roads at some time and are thus partly hollow ways. Earthwork plan: Fig.66.

{6} Snorscomb (SP 597561) is recorded in 1086. In 1531 the owner of Fawsley bought the larger manor of Snorscomb, and was prosecuted for the enclosure of 200 acres and the depopulation of 9 houses. A single farm remains. The remains of the village were judged to be "poor" in 1958.

{8} There is much surface quarrying in the area of the published site but no surveyable remains of desertion.

{9} No change to field report of 12.2.70.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.81-2 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<2> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.326+329 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<3> E1 59/298; E368/292, (unchecked) (Document). SNN105789.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.61 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1834, Ordnance Survey First Edition Series, (unchecked) (Map). SNN105790.

<6> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.46 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<7> 1816/1839, Everdon Parish Map (Re-Used as a Tithe Map in 1839), (unchecked) (Map). SNN15021.

<8> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 12-FEB-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<9> Allanson, C D, 1976, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 CDA 29-OCT-76 (Notes). SNN112955.

<10> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, (RAF 541/341 3241-42 15-AUG-49) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<11> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, (RAF CPE/UK/1994 3154-6) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<12> Aerial Photograph, (CUCAP SA46) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<13> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889480 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:42PM