Monument record 890 - Muscott

Muscott was first recorded in Domesday listed with Brockhall. By the 18th century only three houses are recorded. Earthwork remains are well-preserved apart from the south-east area which has been ploughed out.

{2} The name Muscott is said to derive from the Old English Musa-cote, 'mices dwellings', perhaps a derogatory term for some humble dwellings. The village is first documented in Domesday where it is listed together with Brockhall as a manor of 3 virgates and a recorded population of 6. In the 1301 Lay Subsidy it is again listed with Brockhall with a total of 48 tax payers. It is mentioned in the Nomina Villarum of 1316 and in the 1334 Lay subsidy. The abandonment of Muscott happened before 1524 when the Taxation of the laity only listed nine people. 300 sheep grazed the site in 1547. 1673 18 houses listed for Hearth Tax, but probably most were in Brockhall. Bridges records three houses still at Muscott. The site is extremely well preserved apart from its south east part which was destroyed in 1958-9.

{6} Muscott in Norton 625633. Domesday village, now three houses or so'.

{7} In 1547 300 sheep grazed Muscott Pasture. Sir John Spencer of Althorp bought manor with 4 closes of pasture and meadow in 1576, and "Muscott Pastures" in 1583. One croft has been excavated.

{16} Excavations on the site of a deserted medieval village at Muscott were carried out during September and October 1958, in view of the impending destruction of the site for farming. Three enclosures on the southern boundary were investigated: in one of these three buildings of 12/13th century date were discovered.

{17} Enclosures visible on Aps 541/341 Nos. 3179-80. Centred at SP 62756330.

{18} Muscott. The remains of this DMV comprise some derelict roads, with a scatter of steadings and several crofts contained within a field which, according to the farmer, has been scheduled. The site formerly extended into the field to the SE, but it has been ploughed out. (Authority {16} refers).
In the adjoining field to the SW at SP 62556320, the probable remains of a moat enclose Muscott House and its farm buildings on the S side. The outer slopes of a ditch are preserved at the SE corner and a shallow depression continues to the SW corner and part way along the W side.
The farmer stated that he had read an account of fishing in the moat at Muscott c.1600. He added that the farm house, 19th C exterior, has thick outer walls, 2 feet and more, and was once a barn.
At SP 62486318 are remains of what may have been a fishpond.
The whole site is under pasture and is generally well preserved.
Surveyed at 1/2500.

{19} No change. No further destruction now envisaged. Graphical material omitted.

{20} (SP 628633). Soilmarks of close boundaries identified on AP in 1981.

<1> 1847, Norton Tithe Map (NRO T297), (unchecked) (Map). SNN14134.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.154-6 Site 11 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP66SW9 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.325 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<5> English Heritage, 1993, English Heritage Scheduling Notification, (part checked) (Report). SNN48078.

<6> Beresford M.W., 1954, The Lost Villages of England, (unchecked) (Extract). SNN7102.

<7> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.43 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

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

<9> PRO series E179, E179/155/3 (Document). SNN115882.

<10> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/27 (Document). SNN115882.

<11> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/31 (Document). SNN115882.

<12> PRO series E179, E179/254/14 (Document). SNN115882.

<13> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.483 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<14> West Northamptonshire Council, 2022, Brockhall Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (Report). SNN114828.

<15> Hall, D., 1981, Muscott Parish Survey Plan (Plan). SNN115242.

<16> 1958, Deserted Medieval Village Research Group (Vol.6), p. 7-8 (Annual Report). SNN33708.

<17> Chapman, DJ, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, DJ Chapman 17-NOV-1960 (Note). SNN112959.

<18> Phillips, AS, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F1 ASP 07-JUN-62 (Note). SNN113328.

<19> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F2 BHS 22-FEB-69 (Notes). SNN111907.

<20> Foard G.; Richardson D., 1983, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1982 (Aerial Photography), p. 183 (Notes). SNN100412.

<21> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994 2263-4) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<22> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889823 (Archive). SNN112900.

<23> Historic England, Undated, NORTON MUSCOTT DESERTED MEDIAEVAL VILLAGE, BB76/08383 (Archive). SNN116181.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:50PM