Monument record 1780 - Hillfort at Crow Hill

The site of an Iron Age hillfort of about 3ha with evidence of continuing occupation into the Roman and early medieval periods. The defences were probably constructed in the early or middle Iron Age and comprised a large rectangular enclosure measuring some 250m by 175m and comprising a rampart and single ditch. Within the hillfort a number of roundhouse ring ditches, pits and further enclosures, as well as a concentration of further pottery, have been identified. The defences appear to have been refurbished during the 1st century AD. Extensive Roman pottery scatters are largely concentrated within the enclosure, with the remains of a contemporary occupation site located on a small plateau to the east. A lesser scatter of material in the fields around the enclosure is thought to be related to manuring activities. The Early Medieval settlement is also centred on the earlier hillfort but with additional concentrations of material associated with two small enclosures to the west. Crow Hill and its surrounds are thought to be the original settlement of Yrtlingaburg. Scheduled Monument.

{1} Iron Age, Roman and Saxon activity, evaluation by S Parry.

{3} Describes the site as a possible Roman fort, possibly of two phases with the massive outer ditch being earlier/later than the internal double ditches.

{4} While most of the settlements in the project area appear to have been farms or groups of farms, a hillfort with substantial defences was discovered at Crow Hill. Its construction may have occurred in the C3rd-2nd BC, with probable refurbishment during the first half of the C1st AD. Most of the early-middle Saxon sites in the project area probably had only local significance, but at Crow Hill the hillfort was probably again refurbished, and its high status may be implied by the Irthlingborough place name which suggests the presence of a burh.
A combination of fieldwalking survey, aerial photography, geophysical survey and trial excavation were undertaken as part of the Raunds Area project. A hillfort of about 3ha has been identified within an more extensive flint scatter. The original defences were probably constructed in the early or middle Iron Age and comprised a rampart and a single ditch. Continued Iron Age activity is attested by fieldwalking scatters and some of the undated ring ditches and enclosures within the hillfort could be contemporary. The defences appear to have been refurbished during the C1st AD wit the introduction of a palisade trench and the possible re-cutting of the main ditch. Although they may have been slighted in the early Roman period, occupation nevertheless continued as indicated by a late Roman roundhouse and extensive surface scatters. During the early-middle Saxon period the site may have been re-defended by the widening of the main ditch. Settlement within the hillfort is suggested by dense surface scatters while excavation beyond the entrance revealed at least one substantial timber structure. By the later Saxon period the area appears to have been finally deserted and its subsequent history is one of agriculture.
The hillfort occupies a prominent location on the western side of the River Nene with extensive views of the valley. Its dominant position is enhanced by steep scarps which fall towards the river and at the north into a small, deeply incised tributary valley. These slopes may have originally been sharper since trial excavation has revealed the existence of at least 1.5m of hillwash towards the base of the main valley. The hillfort is located almost entirely upon ironstone, although its northern defences cut the Upper Lias Clay where it is exposed along the flank of the tributary valley.
Both aerial photography and magnetometer survey have produced good evidence for layout, but the limited extent of trial excavation leaves many features undated, particularly as fieldwalking indicates activity from the early Iron Age to the middle Saxon period. A further cropmark, perhaps denoting a separate settlement , was identified some 406m to the south-west of the hillfort. A total area of 2.24ha, comprising the north-eastern half of the fort and part of its surrounding areas, was surveyed, along with 0.3ha of the small plateau to the east of the fort and an area of 0.4ha immediately outside the entrance were investigated.

{6} Extensive significant problems: arable ploughing

{11} Scheduled Monument description:
The monument includes the site of an Iron Age defended enclosure together with the remains of Roman and Medieval settlements. The Iron Age site comprises a large rectangular enclosure or hillfort, measuring some 250 m. by 175 m., defined by a single bank and ditch. The hillfort contains two rectangular enclosures, a number of house gullies and pits and a concentration of Iron Age pottery, which suggest it was densely occupied. Outside the enclosure, to the east and south-west, smaller amounts of pottery and associated cropmarks indicate the presence of contemporary occupation around the hillfort. A smaller enclosure complex, probably contemporary, is located some 350 m. to the south-west. The hillfort probably remained in use or was reused in the Roman period. Roman domestic remains, including pottery scatters, are mainly concentrated within the enclosure, with the remains of a contemporary occupation site located on a small plateau to the east. A lesser scatter of material in the fields around the enclosure is thought to be related to manuring activities. The Early Medieval settlement is also centred on the earlier hillfort but with additional concentrations of material associated with two small enclosures to the west. Crow Hill and its surrounds are thought to be the original settlement of Yrtlingaburg.

{12} SP 95727145. Crow Hill Iron Age Hillfort with associated Iron Age, Roman and Medieval settlements. Scheduled. Crow Hill and its surrounds are thought to be the original settlement of Yrtlingaburg. RCHM [14} records that traces of ploughed out ramparts reported by Authority 13 are merely the high terminations of medieval ridge and furrow, now ploughed down, around two sides of the spur.

{13} An impressive site in a fortified position overlooking the Nene valley protected by very steep slopes on two sides. There are traces of ploughed-out ramparts and abundant sherds representing
the Iron Age B, C, and Romano - British periods.

{14} Iron Age and Roman settlement (SP 958715), on a low spur, overlooking the R. Nene, on limestone, at 225 ft. above OD. Large amounts of early and late Iron Age and Roman pottery have been found. The 'traces of ploughed out ramparts' reported here are merely the high terminations of medieval ridge-and-furrow, now ploughed down, around two sides of the spur.

<1> Dix B., 1992, Recent Work in Northamptonshire Archaeology, p.121 (unchecked) (Article). SNN104441.

<2> SHAW R., 1989, The Quest For The Past: Archaeologists at Work: Archaeology in Education Resource Pack, (unchecked) (Educational Resource Pack). SNN69968.

<3> Pickering J., 2003, Notes on aerial photos taken in 1986, (checked) (Note). SNN107626.

<4> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, Summary+p.139-43 (checked) (Book). SNN105780.

<5> Macfarlaine S.; Garnett N., 2014, Crow Hill, Irthlingborough, Northants, (unchecked) (Report). SNN109932.

<6> Historic England, 2016, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2016, p. 53 (Report). SNN110747.

<7> Historic England, 2017, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2017, p. 60 (Report). SNN111090.

<7> Historic England, 2018, Heritage at Risk: East Midlands Register 2018, p. 60 (Report). SNN111434.

<8> 1991, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN54066.

<9> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.11-6 (checked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<10> Pike, A (ed), 1989, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (19), p.27-8 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN100659.

<11> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1986, DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Northamptonshire (Parts 5-8) (Schedule). SNN104787.

<12> Scheduled Monument Notification, Eng Heritage SAM Record Form 5th Jan 1990 (Note). SNN113001.

<13> Brown, A E (ed), 1972, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies, p. 4 (Journal). SNN58344.

<14> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 57 (Series). SNN77379.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:58PM