Monument record 934 - Glassthorpe

Glassthorpe deserted medieval settlement. First mentioned at Domesday in 1086 although the Scandinavian name suggests an earlier origin. Long depopulated by the early 18th century, when only a shepherd's house remained. Hollow-ways and some house platforms, plus a possible courtyard farm and crewyard identifiable, although much of the remains have been overploughed with ridge and furrow at some point after desertion.

{1} On the south side of the main hollow-way are two or three raised platforms 1.5m high with a broad depression to the west. These may be interpreted as a courtyard farm and crewyard, recognized on many deserted village sites and usually dated to the end of the medieval period.

{2} The boundaries of the land of Glassthorpe are depicted on the Tithe Map of Glassthorpe which shows that the north part extended into the parish of Brington. Glassthorpe is first mentioned in 1086 though its pure Scandinavian name indicates an older origin. In Domesday Book the place is listed as a small manor with a recorded population of five. The 1301 Lay Subsidy lists 14 taxpayers for the vill. It is mentioned by name in the 1316 Nomina Villarum and appears still to have been inhabited in 1371. In 1515 one manor there was bought by the Spencer family of Althorp and by 1547 a place called ‘Classthorpe Pasture’ grazed 200 sheep. In the early 18th century Bridges said that it had been ‘long depopulated’ and that only one shepherd’s house remained. This house, which is shown on a map of 1758 and on the Tithe Map of 1850, still stands though it is no longer occupied. In 1850 the north part of the site was called Berry Meadow and the south part House Ground.

The remains of the village are preserved under permanent pasture and have suffered no recent damage but they are extremely difficult to interpret as almost the whole area was overploughed with ridge-and-furrow at some time after desertion. The site can be divided into two areas. The S. part, which is based on a continuous hollow-way, is roughly trapezoidal; a further hollow-way runs down the slope westwards from its S.W. corner, and here there is later damage by extensive quarrying. On both sides of these hollow-ways there are faint traces of former closes bounded by low banks and scarps or by very shallow ditches. Most are likely to be the sites of former houses and gardens, but ploughing has destroyed all but the basic outlines.

Further N., and apparently quite separate from the southern part of the village, is a much mutilated hollow-way running E.–W. At its E. end it turns N. and may have also turned S. towards the S. part of the site though this is not certain. On the S. side of the main hollow-way are two or three raised platforms 1.5 m. high with a broad depression to the W. These may be interpreted as a courtyard farm and crewyard, recognized on many deserted village sites and usually dated to the end of the medieval period. To the N. of the hollow-way are long closes bounded by ditches and extending as far as the stream. At their S. ends, near the hollow-way, are a number of low platforms and scarps which might be former building sites

{4} Site plan. The site is difficult to interpret due to overploughing with ridge and furrow.. Fieldname: Berry Meadow and House Ground. NCCAP: SP6661/001-16. Very good condition 03/10/1987.

{5} Taxed with Nobottle in 1377. One manor bought by Spencer of Althorp in 1515. Principal manor, still inhabited in 1371, divided between heiresses in late 15th century. In 1547 "Classtropp (sic) Pasture" grazed 200 sheep. "Long depopulated" before c.1720 when only hepherd's house remained. One farm building alone remains.

{10} The DMV of Glassthorpe is centred to SP 66366180 in permanent pasture. The roads can easily be traced and a few steading sites can be seen but the whole is badly mutilated. Surveyed at 1:2500

SP 662617 First mentioned in Domesday though Scandinavian name suggests an earlier origin. Domesday populatio 5; 1301 14 Lay Subsidy Tax payers; mentioned in 1316 Nomina Villanum probably still inhabited 1371. Manor bought by Spencers 1515. 200 sheep pastured in 1547. Remains have suffered no recent damage, but ridge and furrow overlying them makes interpretations difficult. Hollow-ways and some house platforms, plus a possible courtyard farm and crewyard identifiable. [RCHM plan].

[11} Various banks and depressions seen on Aps.

<1> 1850, Glassthorpe Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN13020.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.92 site 4 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.510 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP66SE4 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.40 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<6> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p.83 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5881.

<7> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.325 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<8> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/31 (Document). SNN115882.

<9> 1316, Nomina Villarum, (unchecked) (Document). SNN8783.

<10> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 11-MAR-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<11> Aerial Photograph, APs OS 67 337 273-4 (Photographs). SNN112974.

<12> Aerial Photograph, A/P (CUAP LT6; AWQ62-4) (Photographs). SNN112974.

<12> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central) (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:02PM