Monument record 3701 - Mawsley

Deserted medieval village probable location (rems)

{1} Medieval/post medieval deserted village of Mawsley. Part of the Hundred of Orlingbury was known as Malesle or Maleslea in the late 11th century which suggests an early origin for the village.Usually listed with Faxton. Earliest known reference is in 1185. By the early C18th only one or two families were living there. The population in 1841 was 18, but this probably represents outlying farms. It is possible to map the township lands from early mapping.

Air photographs show an area of very disturbed ground, immediately S of Birch spinney, with an irregular bank and ditch separating it from the adjacent ridge and furrow to the S. Since ploughing stone and rubble have been found on the site. The probable boundaries of the village lands can be reconstructed from 18th and 19th century maps.The field in which it lies was known as Top Meadow in 1828.

{5} Approximate siting of the DMV of Mawsley was made in 1964 to SP 801768 although the exact position is unknown.

The village was first mentioned in 1316, and in 1720 there were 1 or 2 families there. This had increased to a population of 18 in 1841. The village was taxed with Faxton (SP77NE) in 1334 and 1377 and possibly in 1674. (The name is retained in Mawsley Wood (SP 798765) and Mawsley Lodge (SP80837680). Nothing is visible in this area on APs).

{8} No evidence for desertion was seen at the indicated site. Centred to SP 80557630 is an area of disturbance where a scatter of old pottery and stone can be seen. This is possibly the site of Mawsley DMV. There are no surveyable remains.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.106 site 6 (part checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP87NW6 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP87NW19 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> 1316, Nomina Villarum, (unchecked) (Document). SNN8783.

<5> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.42 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<6> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p.122+128-29 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5881.

<7> Brown, A.E. (Ed.), 1969, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1967/68 (Medieval), p.24 (unchecked) (Article). SNN57956.

<8> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 14-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<9> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1925, 1225-6 541/612, 3005-6; F21 540/RAF/1312, 0156-8) (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:54PM