Monument record 4283 - Calme/Comb deserted medieval settlement

Possible deserted medieval village. The most likely position for it is in the extreme north of the parish near Twantry Farm. A number of fields in this area have the name Comb but no remains have been found

{1} Documentary references to the deserted village of Calme; recorded in Domesday survey as having a population of 5 and belonging to Bury St Edmunds Abbey.

{2} In 1729 it "was supposed to be called 'Comb'".

{3} The most likely position for it is in the extreme north of the parish near Twantry Farm (SP 702840). A number of fields in this area have the name Comb but no remains have been found.

{4} SP 714 816: The deserted medieval village of Calme had a population of 5 in 1086 and belonged to Bury St Edmunds Abbey. The only other mention is in 1729 when it was "supposed to be called Comb" (within Clipston). Nothing is visible in this area on air photos.

{5} The manor of Calme was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. No physical evidence has been found to support the claim that it is another deserted village and it is more likely that the manor was sited within the village and perhaps had land in the area of the natural scarps called the Coombs.

{6} The site as indicated by authority {4} falls within the village of Clipston. The names 'Calme' or 'Comb' were not known to local persons consulted and the site was not substantiated.

<1> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.318 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP78SW15 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.49 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77381.

<4> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.36 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<5> Hall, D. & Harding, R., 1979, Clipston Parish Survey 1976, p. 21-31 (Article). SNN16531.

<6> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 24-FEB-1969 (Notes). SNN112950.

Record last edited

Feb 7 2025 2:57PM