Monument record 2673 - Eaglethorpe

Partially deserted medieval village. In decline circa 15th to 17th centuries. Cropmarks visible on aerial photographs. Eaglethorpe is now an extant hamlet.

{1} 8 tenants listed in rent roll of Abbot Elnestow. Owned by Peterborough Abbey in 1535. The majority of the land fell to the Sapcote family of Elton. Chapel built by Lady Elizabeth Dinham, still extant in Elton Hall. Land later passed to William, probably owner of Elton Hall

{2} The architecture of the present hamlet predates Bridges

{3} Belonged with Warmington to Peterborough Abbey. In 1398 5 free tenants here, possibly with some villeins. Before Dissolution freeholds acquired by Si Ric. Sapcote of Elton; some copyholds were "decayed" by his son c.1570. C.1720 this former hamlet of "about 10 houses" found to be depopulated. Now resettled as suburb of Warmington.

{4} Bridges records this as a depopulated hamlet of Warmington, formerly of about 10 houses and now destroyed. The hamlet's fields covered about 80 acres and had belonged to Peterborough Abbey in 1535, after which it fell into the hands of the Sapcote family of Elton, and later the Proby family, owners of Elton Hall. It has always been assumed that the modern Eaglethorpe at TL076917 is the site of the medieval settlement, and because there are houses of the 17th century still surviving at that location, Bridge's record of a deserted hamlet has been dismissed. However a careful reading of Bridges, combined with evidence from the Warmington tithe map of 1846 demonstrates that medieval Eaglethorpe lay beneath, or immediately adjacent to, Elton Hall, probably around TL089929. Bridge's entry for Eaglethorpe includes a discussion of Elton Hall, and stated that the owners of the Hall also held the lands of Eaglethorpe. The tithe map outlines the 77 acres and 17 perches of 'Eaglethorpe Hamlet' in the area immediately to the south east of the Hall. Bridges was clearly correct in his identifiication of the deserted medieval village.

{1, 3, 7} TL 076 917: The village of Eaglethorpe in Warmington was partly deserted circa 15th to 17th centuries {3} and totally so in Bridges' time {2}. Bridges states that it had formerly been of about ten houses and about 80 acres in extent. APs show faint marks at above siting {7}.

{?} All Warmington tithes commuted at inclosure except for the ancient lands of Eaglethorpe which comprise 77 acres and 17 perches. Exact area outlined on map and lies immediately to the south east of Elton Hall.

{8} Eaglethorpe is an extant hamlet; architecture pre-dates Bridges {1} hence total desertion cannot have taken place. There are no indications of shrinkage.

<1> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.483 (checked) (Book). SNN77326.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL09SE20 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.38 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<4> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1979, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1978, 14/109 (unchecked) (Article). SNN45225.

<5> 1846, Tithe Map of Warmington, (unchecked) (Map). SNN46584.

<6> FOARD G.R., 1980, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN51168.

<7> Vertical Aerial Photograph, AP's CPE/UK/2109 4383-4 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<8> Colquhoun, FD, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 FDC 21-AUG-1970 (Notes). SNN111540.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:30PM