Monument record 2206 - Armston

Site of a deserted medieval village, formerly part of the village of Armston. Excavated in 1927 inside the ditched enclosure on the east side of the site but all finds were 17th century. These included stone walls of buildings, floors, drainage channels and a hollow way. Records suggest that the settlement was deserted between circa 1450 and circa 1700. A St Neots Ware cooking pot was also found at this location in 1986.

{1} The village is listed in Domesday Book with Kingsthorpe, with a combined population of 18. In 1301 28 people paid the Lay Subsidy and 10 in 1524, although this latter is almost certainly an understatement. The common fields were enclosed in 1683. 7 houses paid hearth tax in 1674. In 1720 Bridges records 4 houses but there are 5 shown on a map of 1716. Neither of the two present farms existed at this time. In 1841 26 people are listed as living in Armston and 2 farms and 4 cottages are still occupied. Since most of the surviving remains are in poor condition the original layout of the village is obscure.

{6} Bought temp. Henry VIII, with lands of chantry and hospital here, by Sir Edward Montagu of Boughton. Still considerable arable then; 30 acres enclosed c. 1600. With final enclosure in 1683. C. 1720 one house was former chapel. Two farms and 4 cottages remain.

{11} TL 060 858: A St Neots Ware cooking pot was found at this location and listed in 1986.

{13} TL 061 858: A disturbed area which may mark the site. Although generally amorphous one old road running east to west can be traced for a short distance.

{14} Settlement remains formerly part of the village of Armston. Excavations were carried out in 1927 by pupils of Oundle School inside the ditched enclosure on the east side of the site. All the finds were of the 17th century and included stone walls of buildings, floors, drainage channels and a 'road'.

{15} SP059861 Earthworks of post medieval closes, seen on aerial photos NCCAP:TL0586/1-3

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.77 site 5 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.315 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<3> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/31 (Document). SNN115882.

<4> PRO series E179, PRO E179/254/14 (Document). SNN115882.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.417 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<6> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.34 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<7> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.101-5 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL08NE13 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<9> 1840, Armston Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN6169.

<10> 1716, Map of Armston, (unchecked) (Map). SNN6170.

<11> 1968, Journal of The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (3), p. 4 (Journal). SNN18907.

<12> Aerial Photograph, APs 106G/UK 635 4075-6 10-AUG-1945 (Photographs). SNN112974.

<13> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 BHS 04-SEP-1969 (Note). SNN111452.

<14> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 191/Site 5 (Series). SNN77382.

<15> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<16> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 890484 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:27PM