Monument record 1752 - Mill Cotton

The deserted medieval settlement of Mill Cotton lies in fields adjacent to the River Nene where it forms the western boundary of Ringstead parish. Archaeological investigation carried out during gravel extraction and the Raunds Area Survey indicate the remains comprised a moated enclosure, a watermill and mill house, and a number of stone scatters and earthworks, presumably related to the hamlet. The settlement appears to have had late Saxon origins, but was certainly extant in 1086 through to the 16th century, having been sold to Sir William Fitzwilliam by 1535. It was certainly deserted by the early 18th century. The remains have been badly damaged by the construction of the railway in the 19th century and by more recent gravel extraction and ploughing. Fragmentary earthworks were visible in 1969. The site of a mill and mill house abandoned earlier this century can still be seen. Also known as Little or Parva Cotton.

{1}Manor of Mill Cotton held by Bidun family in 12th century; passed by marriage to Gatesden and Chamberlain family. Archaeological evidence suggests hamlet originated in late Saxon period with the major phase of activity being 1350-1450. A late 15th century date is suggested for the abandonment of the majority of the village. Buildings excavated in 1973, 1974 and 1987 are difficult to put into context due to largly unexcavated surrounding area. Area intensively occupied from mid 14th to late 15th century. Uncertain whether these buildings were linked to tenements fronting the green or form part ofmanorial complex.
South of the street to Ringstead limestone scatters derived from stone structures and a low scarp suggesting building platforms. One such scatter coincides with a low platform preserved in pasture to the east suggesting the presence of buildings fronting onto the green. Little evidence from fieldwalking as only small quantities of pottery were recovered from the areas of stone scatters between the green and Cotton Lane. Trial trenching in 1987 found no occupation on the north side of the street, suggesting any frontage was confined to its southern side.
A chapel at Mill Cotton is implied by a close called 'le Chapelherd' in 1413 and is specifically recorded in the 1591 manor bounds, though it is uncertain if it was still in use. Rectangular village green marked on Tithe Map of 1840 - measuring approximately 150m by 75m. Lay between Cotton lane and the river - boundaries of the area can still be seen in form of modern hedge to the north and a shallow ditch to the south.
Described as deserted in c1735. The 1840 Tithe Map shows the mill (abandoned early in the 20th century) along with a mill house, farm and cottage of uncertain antiquity.

{2} Despite absence of taxation and population data, the earthworks (levelled in 1964) indicated a small medieval settlement which may correspond to a manor of Milne Cotes or Parva Cotes; a third manor, West Cotton or Wylwencotes, has not been located.

{3} The extent of the medieval hamlet may be indicated by the former location of a bamk which is now levelled out, but with the river and tributary stream previously enclosed a triangle some 11ha in extent. While the bank separated the hamlet from the open fields to the south it appears to have been more than a simple headland.

{6}Trial excavation undertaken in 1987 on the northern side of Station Road to identify the extent of any surviving remains of the medieval settlement after the gravel pit was closed. Twenty trenches were excavated and late Saxon and medieval remains were identified in trenches to the west of the former railway line. Features included limestone metalling and rubble, as well as ditches and gullies. None of the features were excavated but late Saxon and medieval pottery was found on the surface.

{7} Judging from the Tithe Map of 1840, the original settlement was centred on a roughly rectangular 'green' lying between the mill house and the present railway crossing. Its boundary can be traced as a modern hedge on the north side and a shallow ditch on the south. To the east of the green a low scarp may represent a building -platform and to the east in the modern arable are dense spreads of limestone rubble and cobbles associated with medieval pottery. East of the railway, the hollowed bridleway to the south-east, destroyed in 1971, separated two further areas of arable land each containing patches of rubble and cobbles; these areas were also once bounded to the south-east by a low bank and are largely ploughed away.

{8} AP's shown DMV markings centred SP972745.

{9} The indicated area has amorphous traces of desertion throughout but no surveyable features remain.

{10} Excavations to the N which have revealed a C14th building are recorded under SP 97 SE 1.

{12} The deserted medieval village of Mill Cotton, was extant from 1086 to the 16thc; in 1496 it was worth #6. It was sold to Sir William Fitzwilliam by 1535.

{13} Mill Cotton discovered 1963 by A E Rollings, site levelled soon after. Areas of Crofts and house-sites observed. SP974746.

<1> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.122 (unchecked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<2> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.38 (unchecked) (Report). SNN39628.

<3> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p. 186-195 (Book). SNN105780.

<4> Chapman, A., 1974, Excavations at Mill Cotton, Ringstead, Northamptonshire; 1973-74 (Report). SNN57316.

<6> Parry, S, 1987, Mill Cotton: Evaluation, (unchecked) (Report). SNN57414.

<7> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 84-85/Site 8 (Series). SNN77379.

<8> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, CPE/UK/1925 1253-4 XX-JAN-1947 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<9> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 26-NOV-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<10> LEE, E S., 1991, RCHME Recorder, Lee ES, 30-Aug-1991 RCHM Recording (Note). SNN114837.

<11> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 190 (Book). SNN77326.

<12> Salzmann, L F., 1937, A History of the County of Northamptonshire, p. 32-3, 40, 42 (Book). SNN110592.

<13> 1964, Deserted Medieval Village Research Group (Vol.12), p. 8 (Annual Report). SNN14335.

<14> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), 890470 (Archive). SNN113295.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:12PM