Monument record 626 - Thrupp or Thorp deserted medieval settlement

The village was first documented in Domesday, apparently divided into two manors with a recorded population of only three. It is mentioned by name in the 13th and early 14th centuries, but in later taxation records it is included with Norton. Thrupp belonged to Daventry Priory for much of the later medieval period. In 1489 the prior enclosed all the land, abandoned the chapel, destroyed 18 houses and expelled 100 people. By 1518 the chapel was said to be ruined and in 1530 Thrupp is described as being formerly a town now converted to pasture. The surface remains of the village have been destroyed by cultivation, but three fields to the east and north-east of Thrupp Lodge are large quantities of pottery. Geophysical survey of the area of the settlement suggests Iron Age/Roman settlement may also be present.

{1} Thrupp or Thorp SP 598650, first documented in Domesday (recorded population of 3). 1256 Hugh de Capis or de Caps had 20 shillings rent from Thorpe 'town'. 1316 entry in Nomina Villanum. Later tax
records include Thrupp with Norton. Later medieval period Thrupp owned by Daventry Priory. The Prior was responsible for the depopulation of the village in 1489. 1564 only one farm lay in the area. Fields in this area called Town Closes on 1847 map, which also records the boundary of the village lands.

{6} Thorpe (Thrupp) in Norton 600 656 36 SE. In 1498 100 persons expelled, and in 1518 ecclesia in desolacionem. A Domesday village.

{7} In a survey of the possessions of the priory of Daventry (c. 1530) "Throp" is described as being formerly a 'Town' but converted into pasture, having however, a ruined chapel measuring 53 by 21 feet, dedicated to St. John. The house "in the occupation of Mr. Edmunds" [probably Thrupp Lodge - SP 597650 (see Tithe apportionment, 1849)] was built on the site of the chapel" as was evident from arches in the walls which have been destroyed within memory."

{10} Daventry Priory owned Thrupp Grounds at Long Buckby, where in 1498 100 persons were expelled;

{11} Fieldname: Town Closes;

{14} Geophysical survey was undertaken across several fields to the north and south of the B4036. Anomalies relating to the deserted settlement, including medieval tenements and tracks were identified to the north and south of the road. However, to the south of the road at least some of the anomalies may be associated with an earlier phase of Iron Age/Roman settlement.

{16} See AP's - 541/341/4184-5.

{17} There are no extant remains of Thrupp DMV. Mr T I Edwards of Thrupp Lodge stated that every time his fields are ploughed, fresh stone is brought up, though no actual building foundations have been uncovered. He pointed out a building known as "The Chapel", 90 m ENE of the farmhouse, but it is an 18th century folly or summerhouse.
There are no extant remains of the church said to be on the site of the present farmhouse, a 19th century stone building, and an inspection of 'Briery Orchard' now under cultivation, was negative.
Immediately E of Thrupp Lodge, at SP 5976 6502, are remains of a rectangular homestead moat, measuring 50 m NW - SE by 40 m transversely, with a further arm extending 60 m to the SW. No
traces remain of the NE arm. The SE arm is waterfilled, the rest is at present dry and very heavily overgrown, rendering observation difficult. Published survey (O.S. 25") correct. (6)

{18} No change.

{19} These three fields [area SP 600 650] are under cultivation and numerous fragments of pottery are scattered on the surface. Some Roman but most are mediaeval. Large building stones have been turned up. One trial pit at [SP 5991 6516] revealed layer of rough stone with pottery above and below.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.153-4 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<2> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.331+348 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<3> 1256, Inquisitions Post Mortem, i. No.360 (unchecked) (Document). SNN104909.

<4> 1316, Nomina Villarum, (unchecked) (Document). SNN8783.

<5> Billington V., 2000, Woad-Growing in Northamptonshire, p.59-70 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102516.

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

<7> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.316+425 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<8> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.47 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<9> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.428; (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<10> Steane J., 1974, The Northamptonshire Landscape, p.174-75 (unchecked) (Book). SNN5137.

<11> 1847, Norton Tithe Map (NRO T297), (unchecked) (Map). SNN14134.

<12> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP:SP5965/5 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<13> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.80 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<14> Young, S & Kay, F, 2019, A magnetometer survey of the abandoned village of Thrupp, Norton, Northants (Report). SNN112262.

<15> Royal Air Force, 1940s, RAF Vertical Aerial Photographs, RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994 4359-61 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105266.

<16> Chapman, DJ, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 DJC 17-NOV-60 [Not accessed by NHER] (Note). SNN112959.

<17> Phillips, AS, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F2 ASP 03-MAY-62 [Not accessed by NHER] (Note). SNN112960.

<18> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F3 JB 17-MAR-69 [Not accessed by NHER] (Note). SNN111452.

<19> Annotated Record Map, Corr. 6" (H.C.R. Frost, 1950) (Map). SNN112961.

<20> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889817 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 2:56PM