Monument record 428/0/2 - Medieval settlement remains, Manor Farm

Archaeological evaluation was carried out on earthworks ahead of development. Fragmentary stone footings, pits and boundary ditches of medieval date were uncovered, but most of the structural evidence along the street frontage is either badly damaged or has been destroyed by later activity associated with landscaping around the post-medieval house. A hollow way at right angles to the house was a post-medieval feature, probably part of a carriageway leading to the house.

{1} An archaeological evaluation was carried out on earthworks adjacent to the Stanford-on-Avon road to the north of the modern village of Clay Coton. The trial excavation, undertaken in January 1991, revealed evidence of medieval settlement along the street frontage, much disturbed by post-medieval landscaping activity associated with the Manor House.
Fragmentary stone footings of the west and north walls of a building were uncovered. There was a deposit of limestone blocks spread out which may have represented the tumbled walls of the abandoned structure. In this deposit were pottery sherds of the 14th-15th centuries. Subsequent to the stone structure being abandoned, the hollow way appears either to have been established or, if already in existence, encroached upon its site.

A possible medieval boundary ditch was observed in two trenches and probably marked the back of an enclosure beside the Stanford Road. It was cut by the later hollow way and contained pottery of the C12-C13. Several medieval pits were also identified.

Hollow way c.10m wide can be traced as an earthwork for a length of at least 30m running east-west across the centre of the field. This trackway probably led to Manor House Farm. Part of this house dates back to at least 1598.

{2} Medieval settlement traces and post medieval garden earthworks.

{3} Fragmentary stone footings, pits and boundary ditches of medieval date were uncovered, but most of any related structural evidence along the street frontage is either badly disttubed or has been destroyed by later activity associated with landscaping around the post-medieval house. A hollow way at right angles to the road proved to be a post- medieval feature, probably part of an earlier carriageway leading to the house.

<1> STEADMAN S.; DIX B., 1991, Archaeological Evaluation at Manor Farm in Clay Coton, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN43696.

<2> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, p.119 (checked) (Article). SNN104441.

<3> Pike, A (ed), 1992, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (22), p. 36 (Journal). SNN100613.

Record last edited

Mar 17 2023 10:23AM