Monument record 684 - Nobold deserted medieval settlement

The remains of the medieval settlement at Nobold which was first recorded in 1284. This late recording of the name and the name Nebold, or 'new build' suggests that the settlement was a late or secondary foundation. The earthwork remains of the settlement measure up to 0.5 metres high, except for a broad hollow way measuring up to 1 metre deep and 6 metres wide which crosses the site from east to west. On either side of the hollow way are tofts and crofts. These survive best on the northern side of the eastern end of the hollow way; elsewhere later medieval ridge and furrow cultivation remains partly or wholly overlie the remains. At its western end the hollow way ends in an area of irregular earthworks enclosed by a bank and ditch. This may represent the location of a chapel or church, or a high status dwelling. A second hollow way ran to the south or rear of the settlement remains, also orientated east to west and lying parallel to the main street. Scheduled.

{1} The Scheduled Monument includes the buried and earthwork remains of the medieval settlement at Nobold, located on the east facing slope of a high ridge. The village name is first recorded in 1284 when it had 35 virgates of land divided between three estates. This late recording of the name and the name Nobold, or `new build' suggests that the settlement was a late or secondary foundation. The settlement was usually included in taxation assessments with the village of Clipston. In 1381 its three common fields were noted, when the tenants of the largest of the estates were recorded. By 1459 only two houses remained in this estate, although little is known of the fate of the other two estates. The village had long been abandoned by the 18th century, when the field was called `Old Nobold (New Build) Close', and part of the site, where human bones had been recorded, was still known as the churchyard. The earthwork remains of the settlement measure up to 0.5m high, except for a broad hollow way measuring up to 1m deep and 6m wide which crosses the site from east to west. On either side of the hollow way are the remains of the earthen building platforms of the medieval house sites, set within embanked enclosures, or gardens. These survive best on the northern side of the eastern end of the hollow way; elsewhere later medieval ridge and furrow cultivation remains partly or wholly overlie the remains. Behind the house sites are the remains of long enclosures, or crofts, as wide as the houses and approximately 60m long. These acted as the allotments for the householders and are also partly overlain by ridge and furrow. At its western end the hollow way ends in an area of irregular earthworks enclosed by a bank and ditch. This may represent the location of the chapel or church, or a high status dwelling. A second hollow way ran to the south or rear of the settlement remains, also orientated east to west and lying parallel with the main street. This second hollow way acted as a back lane to the settlement and is echoed to the north by the course of the modern road. The remains of a quarry lie to the south west of the settlement earthworks.

The medieval settlement at Nobold survives as an area of well defined earthworks and associated buried remains in which evidence for the nature of the settlement will be preserved. The crofts and building platforms will contain buried evidence for houses, barns and other structures, accompanied by a range of boundaries, refuse pits, wells and drainage channels, all related to the development of the settlement. The settlement at Nobold appears to have resulted from a late foundation, having a short duration and early abandonment, suggesting that the settlement represented an overflow establishment from the nearby parish of Clipston and may have included inhabitants from up to three different manors. The settlement appears to have existed largely during the period of highest population pressure and to have been abandoned soon after the population collapse of the 14th century, which was caused by a combination of worsening climate, pressure on land, and disease. As a short lived settlement, the remains at Nobold will provide insights into a particular period in the history of settlement in the Midlands. Buried artefacts, in association with the buildings will provide further evidence of the lifestyle of the inhabitants and assist in dating the development of the settlement over time. Environmental evidence may also be preserved, illustrating the economy of the hamlet and providing further information about its agricultural regime. Antiquarian reports suggest that the settlement had its own cemetery, and this will preserve buried human remains which will provide information about the population of the settlement including their diet, standards of living and life expectancy, as well as providing information about funerary practices and rituals.

{2} Nobold is rarely named in the national taxation records and is presumably included with Clipston. It is mentioned by name in the Nomina Villarum of 1316, and in 1381 its three common fields are noted and tenants are recorded in the largest of the manors. By 1459 only two houses existed in this manor though nothing is known of the situation on the other two manors. The only certainty is that the village was totally deserted by the early 18th century and had been so for a long time. Bridges gives a long description of the earthworks lying in a field known as Old Nobold Close. He recognized the central hollow-way of the main street and recorded the house-sites on both sides of it. He also noted that 'In one part is a plot of ground immemorially called the church-yard. ... Human skulls have been dug up here'

{7} NCCAP:SP6982/9-11;

{8} Evidence for a church in Nobold DMV. A document states that Nobold and Clipston were united in 1667. Although there had clearly been no church in Nobold for some time before this the implication is that there was one previously;

{10} The site of the DMV of Nobold (SP 698821) was in very good condition in 1964. The village was usually taxed with Clipson, and contained 35 virgates in 1284. Bridges (a) described the site in 1720, and there are now three fields still known as 'Nobold field' W of Clipston.

A DMV pattern with road and crofts, apparently over-ploughed by rig-and-furrow, is apparent in the field centred SP 69558215. There are traces of the village within the indicated area but no coherant pattern can be established.
The site is under grass.

<1> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1986, DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Northamptonshire (Parts 5-8) (Schedule). SNN104787.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 49-51 (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 23-4 (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p. 43 (Report). SNN39628.

<5> Steane J., 1974, The Northamptonshire Landscape, p. 160-2 (Book). SNN5137.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP 68SE8 (Index). SNN443.

<7> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<8> Hall, D. & Harding, R., 1979, Clipston Parish Survey 1976, p. 21-31 (Article). SNN16531.

<9> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 890729/890769 (Archive). SNN112900.

<10> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 14-MAR-69 (Notes). SNN112950.

<11> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, 1069/UK/636, 3132-3 (10.8.45) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<12> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire (Series). SNN5881.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 2:56PM