Monument record 4634 - Preston Deanery

The settlement was probably never very large, although its size is difficult to estimate as it was rarely mentioned separately in medieval taxation records. By the early 18th century there were only ten houses, many dispersed farmsteads. Shrunken village and ridge and furrow earthworks have been identified at Preston Deanery

{1} Aerial photographic assessment related to a detailed interpretation of contemporary and historical aerial photographs of the area of Great Houghton, Hardingstone and Brackmills.

{2} The earthworks visible on air photos constitute ridge and furrow with minor crofts, indicating probable shrinkage.

{5} Preston Deanery seems always to have been very small, although the size of the village is difficult to estimate since it is rarely mentioned separately in medieval taxation records. In 1086 only six people are recorded in Domesday Book and thereafter little is known of the village's history. In 1674 only ten people in the parish paid the Hearth Tax. By the early 18th century the lordship of Preston was said to contain only ten houses 'which stood dispersed'. As these must have included the present outlying farmsteads such as The Grange, Rookery Farm, Park Farm and West Hall, the village at that time must already have been reduced to the church, hall and a few cottages. In 1801 the population of the parish was 70.
Apart from the main hollow ways the remains of the village are very slight and difficult to interpret. This is largely due to the fact that much of the west part of the remains and the area immediately south west of the church have been ploughed at some time.

{7} The lordship of Preston Deanery is enclosed, and contains ten houses which stand dispersed in the grounds. In the Domesday survey, as well as the land owner, two servants and four villeins are recorded as possessing land.

{11} Earthworks surrounded by rig and furrow are visible round the church and Preston Hall, centred SP 789 556. (Preston was a village-less parish until recently when it was incorporated in Hackleton parish).


{14} Preston Deanery is an extant hamlet. The earthworks visible on the air photographs constitute rig and
furrow with minor crofts, indicating probable shrinkage.

<1> Cox C., 1996, Brackmills Employment and Extension Site, Northamptonshire: Aerial Photographic Assessment (Archaeology), (checked) (Report). SNN103077.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP75NE4 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Hall, D N, 1977, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (7), 7/16-17 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN27911.

<4> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1975, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1974, 10/169 (unchecked) (Report). SNN41605.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.63/Site 17 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<6> Salzman L.F.(ed), 1937, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.279-81 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100371.

<7> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.379 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<8> Hearth Tax Returns, E179/254/14 (unchecked) (Document). SNN58734.

<9> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.310 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<10> 1974, Details of Ploughing in Field With Earthworks, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN57258.

<11> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, APs (RAF CPE/UK/1926 5019, 20, 16.1.47) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<12> Vertical Aerial Photograph, A/P (CUAP AMX 53-9, BLF 1-4) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<13> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAP VAP CPE/UK/1926, 5018-20) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<14> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 17-MAR-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:41PM