Monument record 2020 - Overstone

Overstone deserted village remains. Archaeological watching brief maintained during cable laying identified a number of medieval features probably associated with the deserted medieval settlement.

{1} North-west of the mansion the village earthworks are well preserved and correspond in a general way to the map of 1671 held in the county Record Office, which shows the village in its original position. Immediately to the west of the house however all trace of the village has been removed, presumably in the interests of landscaping, and what earthworks there are seem to represent gardens. Earthwork survey plan.

{3} Soilmarks of medieval/post medieval deserted village seen on aerial photos. Majority of the site is now ploughed.

{4} First recorded in 1167 but almost certainly included with Sywell in Domesday. In 1392 a rental lists 53 tenants and one manor. A rental in 1482 includes deductions of rent for 8 messuages and 3 cottages destroyed or fallen into ruin. In 1672 30 houses are listed in an indenture. 42 families paid hearth tax in 1674. At some time probably before 1737 the whole village apart from the medieval church and the rectory, which lay immediately west of the hall, was removed and rebuilt along the present road north of the park. This had taken place by 1775 when a map of the county shows only the church, rectory and hall standing within a small park. Sir Thomas Drury intended to pull down the old church after purchasing Overstone in 1737, but he died and the estate passed to the Brownlow family, and then in 1791 to John Kipling. In 1799 the ruins of the old parsonage and some closes of glebe land were also sold to Kipling and in 1803 the old church was finally pulled down and a new one built at the north end of the park. The whole area was emparked in the early 19th century. The surviving earthworks represent only a part of the original area, the rest having been destroyed by the emparking of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Fragmentary eartwork remains of hollow ways and building platforms exist W and N of Overstone Park House,between the house and the early 19thC ornamental lake

{6} Had 53 tenants in 1398 and 42 in 1520. Drop between 1674 and c.1720 may be connected with enclosure in 1727. About 1820 John Kipling enlarged park, destroyed mill beside mansion, made lake and rebuilt church and rectory outside park. Houses rebuilt at present site on main road.

{8} Aerial photos NCCAP:SP8065/011-14.

{9} (SP 807657). Watching brief in 1979. Two hollow ways were observed with traces of metalling and medieval sherds found in primary silts, this was overlain by a post-medieval road on a different alignment. Stone walling survived to over 0.5m high and associated pottery probably represented a stone building aligned north-south against the hollow way. No earthworks can be seen at this point.

{10} Church standing to west of hall, on the other side of the former north-south running Billing to Overstone Lane.

{11} {SP807657) A watching brief was maintained during the laying of cables along the driveway to the house. Number of features were observed including: A hollow way with a pebbly base layer with a few larger limestone fragments. Four medieval pottery sherds and a bone fragment recovered. Post medieval road visible as an embanked feature running west across the park. Two post medieval pottery sherds recovered. Two lengths of sandstone walling, one faced both sides, with an area of loose sandstone rubble and clay mortar, possibly a demolition layer. Probable wall: spoil heap contained large sandstone blocks similar to other wall materials.

{13} Curvilinear positive magnetic anomalies of varying intensities appear to indicate sections of sub- rectangular ditched enclosures in the south-east quarter of the field.
The proximity of the enclosures to St. Nicholas Church could indicate a medieval date.

{9} (SP 807657). Two hollow ways were observed with traces of metalling and medieval sherds found in primary silts, this was overlain by a post-medieval road on a different alignment. Stone walling survived to over 0.5m high and associated pottery probably represented a stone building aligned north-south against the hollow way. No earthworks can be seen at this point.

{15} Cropmark of a building at SP 811653 on AP. R Hollowell and Mr Hall 1967.

{16} No remains. Mainly under parkland (partly school playing fields). The AP mark {15} could not be identified at the NGR; the photograph is not available.

<1> Rahtz P. (Editor), 1971, Deserted Medieval Village Research Group (Vol.18), p.6+Fig.2 (checked) (Annual Report). SNN14192.

<2> Brown A.E.; Taylor C.C., 1975, Four Deserted Settlements in Northamptonshire, p.192-8 (unchecked) (Article). SNN75848.

<3> FOARD G.R., 1982, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN51500.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.121-2 Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP86NW8 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.15 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<7> BROWN A.E., 1970?, Overstone DMV, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN105164.

<8> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<9> Brown A.E. (ed.), 1980, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1979, p. 172 (Article). SNN56490.

<10> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (part checked) (Map). SNN1852.

<11> Foard, G., 1980, Site Plan and Notes, (checked) (Plan). SNN57527.

<12> 1671 (circa), Map of Overstone (NRO Map 564), (unchecked) (Map). SNN75714.

<13> Butler A., 2009, Archaeological Geophysical Survey at Overstone Leys, Northamptonshire April 2009, p.9 (checked) (Report). SNN107975.

<14> Horne B. (Editor), 2010, South Midlands Archaeology (40), 40/19 (checked) (Journal). SNN107083.

<15> Annotated Record Map, Northampton Museum 6" (Map). SNN112961.

<16> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 19-JUN-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 8:25PM