Monument record 2240 - Achurch

Possible site of the deserted settlement of Achurch, although upon investigation in 1969 it was suggested that shrinkage was visible adjacent to the present village, rather than desertion in the vicinity of St John's Church.

{?} This is a single street village but with an isolated church of uncertain significance to the settlement development.

{3} Site name: Achurch.

{4} Documentary references to the village. There is no evidence of village remains around the isolated church. Houses were shown on both sides of the street in the late C18th. About 18 houses are shown circa 1807. Existing buildings are those of (Lilford) estate cottages built c.1830.

{7} This village and its hamlet, Thorpe Waterville, were together known by the 14th century as Thorpe Achurch and rarely distinguished apart. Cottages along both sides of road in 1779 have been rebuilt in a single row. The isolated church may indicate an earlier site. Period of desertion is not known.

{8} Faint markings in an area (TL 023 826) surrounded by ridge and furrow visible on an AP by Crawford suggest site of DMV.

{9} Shrinkage only is visible adjacent to the present village there is no visible desertion in the proximity of St John's Church.

<1> 1772, Thorpe Achurch Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN109232.

<2> 1794, Map of Thorpe Achurch, (unchecked) (Map). SNN8274.

<3> 1807, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN8275.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.95-6 Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.264 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL08SW12 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<7> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.34 (checked) (Report). SNN39628.

<8> Oblique Aerial Photograph, Crawford Collection 1431/65/8 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<9> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 25-SEP-69 (Notes). SNN112950.

<10> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), 890458/890468 (Archive). SNN113295.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:28PM