Monument record 936 - Althorp

Earthworks of a deserted settlement in Althorp Park. The settlement was documented in Domesday and throughout the 14th century. It is thought that the settlement was cleared in the 15th century. Main earthwork features include a hollow way which survives to a depth of 1.5 metres deep. Adjacent platforms may be building remains.

{1} Althorpe - There was a village. In 1327 21 paid lay subsidy here. [Nothing visible on AP's]

{3} SP 678648 Remains probably of Althorp. Althorp recorded in Domesday; 20 people paid 1301 Lay subsidy, 21 in 1327; 50 Poll Tax payers 1377. Probably cleared in 15th century; no tenants 1505. Land sold 1508; sheep pasture by 1577. Main feature of earthworks is hollow way up to 1.5m deep running up slope. Adjacent platforms may be building remains. Much damaged by later activities including tree planting.

{4} Nothing visible on aerial photographs and no ground evidence of desertion.

{5} Probably taxed with Brington. Owned in 15th century by Catesby family. In 1505 manor consisted of 80a. Arable, 200a. Meadow, 400a. Pasture and 60a. Wood; no tenants mentioned. Sold in 1508 to John Spencer of Wormleighton. In 1547 flock of 1200 sheep grazed, and in 1577 Spencers had 4 large pastures here. Now large park with mansion and estate buildings.

{6} In 1377 50 people over the age of 14 paid the Poll Tax at Althorp. The estate records include several grants of Althorp manor and other properties in the 15th century, and may give an indication of the village's location. A charter of 1459 refers to tenements with others adjacent, showing that the village was still in existence. The sale of a croft in 1481 has witnesses living at Olthorpe. The village was probably cleared by the Catesbys at about that time to create a sheep walk, and no tenants appear to have been left by 1505.
The RCHM has the village site near West Lodge. There is no regular pattern to the earthworks, once the avenue and hollow way is ignored, and a village site seems unlikely. A more probable site for Althorp village is the better-watered spot underlying the present house and gardens.

[7} Perambulation of the area (Name ct. SP 6765) revealed no ground evidence of desertion.

<1> BERESFORD M.W., 1951, Correspondence, Letter and notes (Correspondence). SNN39634.

<2> Hall D. N., 2000, Althorp Park, Northamptonshire, SP 68/65, Ridge And Furrow 1998, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN100630.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Series). SNN77381.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP66NE1 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.34 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<6> Stamper P., 1998, The Historic Landscape Of Althorp Park - An Outline Of The Designed Landscape, With A Rapid Assessment, p.2,6 (checked) (Report). SNN100246.

<7> Harper, FR, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F1 FRH 24-AUG-62 (Note). SNN112963.

<8> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 323-337 (Series). SNN100368.

<9> Beresford M.W., 1954, The Lost Villages of England, p. 369 (Extract). SNN7102.

<10> PRO series E179, PRO E179/155/28 (Document). SNN115882.

<11> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994, 4368-9 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<12> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 890755 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 3:46PM