Monument record 662 - Abthorpe

Traces of former settlement consist of abandoned closes and paddocks, some containing remnant ridge and furrow. One area was occupied as late as 1823. A rectangular sunken area may be the remains of a 17th century garden.

{?}A dependent 'hamlet' within the Saxon royal estate of Towcester. Always a rural settlement,apparently with its own dependencies in Foscote?? And Charlock.Green focus to settlement. The church standing on green - this might imply a late creation of the church an its placing on a pre-existing green. The apparent rectilinear nature of the green is worthy of note and would replay further study as a contrast to the more typical irregular green form.

{1} Towcester was the centre of a late Saxon royal estate and this administrative function persisted into the medieval period when it served as head of the hundred. The Domesday entry recorded that Towcester was held by the king and that it comprised 7½ hides, with land for 22 ploughs. Only 12 ploughs were accounted for in 1086: two ploughs which were held in demesne, and ten ploughs which were held by 15 villeins. There were 12 acres of meadow, and a wood two leagues long and one league wide. This large entry undoubtedly included the subsidiary hamlet known from the medieval period of Abthorpe.
The medieval taxation records included the hamlet of Abthorpe. In 1301 Towcester was assessed cum membris (with hamlets. Out of the 111 taxpayers 40.54% lived in Abthorpe.
Henry the charcoal burner (carbonarius) is attested at Abthorpe in 1260-80.

{4} Report of possible buildings associated with the cobbling trade, based on the remembrance of an elderly resident. It would be unusual for the cobbling industry to be present in Abthorpe as it was not previously thought to have been in the southern part of Northamptonshire.

{5} Collection of photographs of buildings in the village.

{7} Settlement remains centred at SP 647 466 consist of abandoned closes and paddocks, some containing remnant ridge and furrow. One area was occupied as late 1823. A rectangular sunken area may be the remains of part of a 17th century garden. RCHME plan.

<1> Taylor J.; Foard G.; Laughton J.; Steadman S.; Ballinger J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Towcester, 1.0 (unchecked) (Report). SNN103132.

<2> Ivens R., 2001, Archaeological Watching Brief At Grafton Court, Foscote, Abthorpe, Northamptonshire, p.2 (checked) (Report). SNN101153.

<3> Ivens R., 2003, Archaeological Watching Brief at Kingscourt, Foscote, Abthorpe, p.2 (checked) (Report). SNN103307.

<4> Ellison, M., 1997, Cobbling industry, Abthorpe, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49297.

<5> Various, Various, Photographs of buildings in Abthorpe (Photographs). SNN111146.

<6> South Northamptonshire Council, 2015, Abthorpe Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (Policy Document). SNN112048.

<7> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 1/Site 1 (Series). SNN77382.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 8:29AM