Monument record 855 - Potcote (formerly Potton)

Site of deserted medieval village with no surveyable remains of desertion existing.

{1} The hamlet was the centre of a discrete unit of land which occupied the southern part of the modern parish of Cold Higham, the boundaries of which are shown on a map of 1726. In addition it appears that a small area of land at the north end of Greens Norton parish also belonged to Potcote [see Lower Potcote, Mon 5397]. It is not clear how or why this became part of Potcote. Potcote is not documented until 1202, but is almost certainly much older. The C12th survey of Northamptonshire refers to an otherwise unidentified place called Potton in Towcester Hundred, which may represent Potcote. The hamlet is mentioned by name in 1316, but not again until 1499 when it is recorded that Thomas Green of Greens Norton, whose family acquired the manor before 1428, destroyed four houses and enclosued 304 acres of land, converting it to pasture. Nothing is then recorded until the map of 1726, when a single farmstead is shown, with another to the south in Greens Norton parish (Lower Potcote). The same situation existed in 1812, and apart from the rebuilding of the farm on a site to the north-west of the old one, nothing has changed.
There is little trace of the hamlet on the ground and the modern farm may have destroyed most earthworks. An area of c.8ha around the farm is devoid of ridge and furrow and this may mark the extent of the former hamlet.

{2} SP 657 527: The manor and most of the land of Potcote came to the Green family in 1428 and in 1499 four houses were destroyed and 304 acres were enclosed. In 1551 lands here and at Burcote (SP 65 SW 5) and Caswell (SP 65 SW 4) were occupied by a flock of 2,000 sheep. Potcote then had a warren. There were two farms in 1841, as now.

{9} The deserted village of Potcote was surrounded by old enclosure in 1813. Potcote was probably all enclosed by 1472, according to references to enclosures in a terrier (BL Harl. Ch. Roll 7). Leadam (1897, 283-4) also records enclosure of 320 acres in 1499.

{10} Little in the way of earthworks are visible but the surrounding ridge and furrow shows the extent of the hamlet of Potcote.

{11} There are no surveyable remains of desertion at Potcote.

{12} Drawings of windows etc from chapel at Potcote dated 1851, since destroyed;

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.33/Site 5 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.45 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP65SE1 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p.91-92 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5881.

<5> 1726, Map of Cold Higham, (unchecked) (Map). SNN13572.

<6> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.373 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<7> 1316, Nomina Villarum, (unchecked) (Document). SNN8783.

<8> 1812, Enclosure Map of Cold Higham, (unchecked) (Map). SNN13555.

<9> Hall D.N.; Britnell T., 2000?, South Northamptonshire Historic Landscape: Part III, p.11 (unchecked) (Report). SNN103302.

<10> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, APs (RAF CPE/UK/1926, 3041, 2 16.1.47) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<11> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 22-JAN-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<12> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/67/1,7 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 2:59PM