Monument record 2212 - Elmington

Elmington near Oundle deserted between circa 1494 and circa 1700. Deep ploughing revealed an extensive scatter of late medieval pottery and cut limestone building material. Summary from record 2212/0/3: Earthworks noted during field survey may be part of the deserted medieval settlement.

{2}{8}{9} The hamlet was formerly entirely within Oundle parish.

{4} There were formerly two apparently separate but adjacent settlements called Elmington, one in Tansor parish and the other in Ashton parish. They were listed in Domesday as two manors, both held by the Abbey of Crowland. The recorded populations were four and nine persons respectively. The Abbey enclosed and converted 20 acres into pasture in 1490 and a further 160 acres between 1494 and 1513, destroying six houses but leaving one house and three cottages. Only two inhabitants were recorded in the 1524 Lay Subsidy Rolls.
No identifiable remains of the settlement in Ashton now exist although it must have been centred on the present Elmington Lodge part of which is of 16th century date. A broad strip of land on either side of the present main road was devoid of ridge and furrow on air photographs taken in 1947. (CPE/UK 2109, 4408-9) Immediately north of Elminton Lodge (TL 054897) within this strip of land stone rubble has been ploughed up (OS Record Cards) and the ground is slightly uneven. A few sherds of medieval pottery including some Lyveden ware have been found. The boundaries of the land which belonged to the Elmington in Ashton are still visible today. They enclose a long narrow area extending from the River Nene to Ashton Wolds.

{5, 6, 10, 12} Elmington had a chapel of ease to Oundle extant in 1189. It is sited by Bridges {5} and the OS 1" first edition [12} to Elmington Lodge (TL 05358960) near which, Bridges states, foundations of houses were ploughed up in the 18th century. The DMVRG {10} however, apparently misled by Bridges statement that there were originally two estates here (later united into one manor 14th century), state that there were two villages both unlocated. There seems no justification for this nor for their allocation of half Bridges remarks to each 'village'.

{7} The medieval village of Elmington was deserted between c.1494 when 10 houses were present and c.1700. Faint soilmarks on aerial photos in the area TL053896.

{10} Elmington was part taxed along with Oundle and part with Tansor. There were two separate manors in 1086, both belonging to Crowland Abbey. The abbey enclosed 180 acres between 1490 and 1513, destroying six houses and leaving just one house and three cottages.

{13} Possible faint marks on Aps. Siting: Area TL 053896.

{14} Local enquiries established the probable site along the south east side of the main road at TL 054 897 where much stone has been ploughed up. Slight undulations only are all that is visible in the corn stubble. The north part of Elmington Lodge is a stone cottage which dates back probably to the 16th century.

{15} Elmington near Oundle. Deep ploughing revealed an extensive scatter of late medieval pottery and cut limestone building material. This presumably belongs to the DMV.

{16} An earthwork survey of a field on the opposite side of the road to Elmington Lodge. The south-western boundary of the field appears to follow the alignment of a former holloway and a number of possible house platforms are aligned along its eastern edge, within the field. Further features (possibly more house platforms) were recorded along the A605 frontage. Surface scatters of pottery are marked on the southern side of the A605 and in the field to the south-west of the one surveyed. A quarry is also marked; it appears to be be later than the ridge and furrow. Possible site of a deserted settlement?

{17} Elmington DMV. Watching brief. TL 053 897. Although the extent of disturbance was slight, the stone footings of one building were exposed together with several discrete limestone patches, some containing sherds of Lyveden-Stanion pottery. [NB: incorrect ngr given in source, should be 1km further north.]

<1> 1838, Tithe Map of Elmington, (unchecked) (Map). SNN6695.

<2> 1843, Tansor Tithe Map (T108), (unchecked) (Map). SNN6698.

<3> PAGE F.M., 1934, The Estates of Crowland Abbey, (unchecked) (Book). SNN59910.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.11 Site 5 (part checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.413-14+Map1 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<6> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire- The Borough of Northampton, p.99 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL08NE17 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<8> 1778, Elmington Enclosure Map (NRO Map 4608), (unchecked) (Map). SNN6699.

<9> 1811, Enclosure Map (NRO Map 2858), (checked) (Map). SNN6697.

<10> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.39 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<11> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.319 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<12> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 1" 1st Edition (Map). SNN112944.

<13> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, AP CPE/UK/2109 4408-9 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<14> Seaman, BH, 1969, Field investigators comments (Notes). SNN111907.

<15> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1977, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1976, p. 226 (Report). SNN723.

<16> Foard, G., 1980s, Ashton Earthwork Survey (Plan). SNN110283.

<17> Dix B.(ed), 1986-7, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1985-6, p.157 Ashton (checked) (Report). SNN100334.

<18> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, NCCAP:TL0589/038-9 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

Record last edited

Apr 25 2025 9:02AM