Monument record 1084 - Silsworth deserted medieval settlement

Deserted Medieval settlement partly visible as earthworks. The settlement was first documented during the C13, with later, C14/C15 references. In 1720 it was noted as having just one house.

{1} Conditions survey of Silsworth deserted medieval village conducted March 1997.
Field 1 (SP61707070) revealed well preserted DMV eathworks in good condition, there being no evidence of erosion or grazing pressure. Two small sherds of pottery were observed on one of the bare areas within the field.
Field 2 (SP61727086). Although the field has been ploughed in modern times the line of the hollow-way and some adjoining scarps are clearly discernable.
Field 3 (SP61807076). No earthworks were observed. The field has been ploughed recently and 15 sherds of medieval pottery were retrieved. All the surrounding fields are under arable cultivation which appears to have destroyed all earthworks.

{2} The DMV of Silsworth (SP 617706) although ploughed over, was in good condition in 1964. 1333 deed refers to the hamlet. In 1392 the tenements were described. Lands were much divided between freeholders and three monastic houses. One freeholder family accumulated holdings in the early C15th; these and other lands, acquired by Wm Catesby of Ashby St Ledgers, were described in 1485 as of 300a. Land and 490a. Pasture, and in 1594 as three "closes or pastures" called Middle Field, High Field and Sharrock's Close. In 1547 Watford and Silsworth together maintained 2000 sheep. Silsworth Lodge remains but not at the site, where a single cottage stands.

{3} Silsworth SP 617707, first mentioned 1213, though presumably was much older, probably recorded with Watford in Domesday. The earthworks are in poor condition, but suggest closes bordering a cross-raods formed by hollow-ways meeting the extant road. The excavations of 1964 cannot be located with certainty: the grid reference recorded by the OS [SP 61847056 Authority {5}] lies outside the village area. Pottery from the site includes Ipswich and Stamford ware along with later sherds. Earthwork plan.

{4} Silsworth, SP 617706. Building material was raised by bulldozing the SW part of the village. Excavation of the E field also took place.

{6} There was a medieval occupation layer and a mortared wall over the road.

{7} Pond banks on either side of B4036, not marked on OS sheets, with building platforms on slope to N.
Permanent grass, no pottery. Deserted medieval village? June 1966 and November 1968.

{12} Characteristic DMV markings can be seen in area SP 617706 but are somewhat vague.

{5, 13} Disturbance east of the road on sloping ground indicates the site of part of the village but cattle tread and soil slip have reduced this to an amorphous condition. The farmer indicated the site of the excavation at approx SP 61847056. Apparently only a trench, a wall, and part of a roadway were found. The only identifiable steading is at SP 61737064 but in the fields to the north where the bulldozing was carried out, pottery and stones are turned up by the plough. To the NW are several small paddock-like fields, typical adjuncts to a deserted site.

See illustration card.

<1> CADMAN G.E., 1997, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49743.

<2> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.45 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.189-191 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77381.

<4> 1964, Deserted Medieval Village Research Group (Vol.12), p. 18-19 (Annual Report). SNN14335.

<5> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 BHS 21-FEB-69 (Notes). SNN111907.

<6> 1965, Medieval Archaeology (9), 9/214 (checked) (Journal). SNN3994.

<7> Smith, D., 1969, Fieldwork and Observation in South and Central Northamptonshire, p. 2 (Article). SNN8978.

<8> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire (Series). SNN5881.

<9> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 585 (Book). SNN77325.

<10> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994 1474-5) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<11> Aerial Photograph, A/P (CUAP AWQ15 16) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<12> Aerial Photograph, 541/105 3060-1 (26.7.48) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<13> Aerial Photograph, 541/341 4051-2 (15.8.49) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<14> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889347 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:52PM