Monument record 483/1 - Probable Romano-British Villa at Marston Trussell

Finds including Roman pottery, tile and tesserae indicative of a building, possibly a villa, have been found within the area around the church and rectory garden at Marston Trussell.

{1} Roman building (SP 69318592), lies in the E. of the village, around the church, on clay and alluvium at about 94 m. above OD. During alterations to the church and the rectory in either the late 19th or early 20th century many Roman finds were made, including samian and Nene Valley ware, tesserae and tiles. More tesserae, tiles and pottery, as well as Roman coins, were later discovered during grave-digging and restoration of the church in 1945, and when new houses were built opposite the church in the 1950s a very large amount of Roman pottery, including samian and an almost complete 3rd-century flagon, was found (SP 69318601). A large Roman building or settlement is indicated.

{2} A large quantity if Romano-British finds was made during the 1903 demolition of the old Rectory and the building of a new one. Additional Romano-British pot sherds, a C4th AD coin and many tesserae have been collected as a result of grave-digging in the churchyard during the early C20th. Held by Rev P.Knight.

{3} Romano-British finds of a coin of Augustus and pottery were made during restoration works to the church in 1906.

{4} Three Romano-British tesserae were found in 1947.

{5} In 1945 a coin of Magnentius was found 7ft down whilst excavating a furnace cellar on the south side of the church tower. All finds were collected by the Rev P.J.K.Law and given to Northampton Museum after his death according to a letter of 25/02/1960.
In 1945 whilst ditch-digging around the south side of the churchyard a further Roman coin was found. Finds now in Market Harborough Museum.

{6} Roman tesserae and tiles and pottery found in digging graves in churchyard. Also a coin of Augustus, and coin of Magnentius found 7 ft. down, in making excavations for furnace cellar, south side of church tower, 1945. All these objects in the possession of the present Rector, Rev. P.J.K. Law.

{7} "There are in NORTHAMPTON MUSEUM a number of coarse tesserae, fragments of box flue tile and R.B. sherds, including Samian and castor ware, which were collected by the lat Rev. P. J. Knight Law... said to have been found during alterations to MARSTON TRUSSEL church and in the churchyard and rectory grounds."

{8} A brockage (double-strike) - a denarius of c. 65 B.C., found locally, by MR. S. LEVETT. Acc. no. not yet allocated.
Displayed.

{9} The coin was found, c. 15 years ago, on the south side of the churchyard at MARSTON TRUSSEL, in making a ditch round the churchyard.

{10} The material in NORTHAMPTON MUSEUM was sent there after its re-discovery in a cupboard at the Rectory some years after the Rev. P. J. Knight Law's death. The majority of the material was found in building the Rectory in 1903 and demolishing the old rectory which stood nearer the church. Other fragments have been found in restoring the church in 1906 and in digging graves. The two Roman coins remain at the Rectory but will probably be sent to
NORTHAMPTON MUSEUM. The coin of Augustus was found in 1906, the Magnentius coin in 1945.

{11} Nothing of significance relating to these finds was seen in the churchyard or rectory garden; they suggest a probable Roman building. A spread of Roman potsherds, probably associable with this site, was found nearby in 1952 - (SP 68 NE 12). Two of the coins found here are of remarkably early date.

{12} Listed in gazetteer of Roman villas.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.138 Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<2> STRONGMAN, Unpublished Report regarding finds at Marston Trussell, (unchecked) (Typescript Report). SNN43776.

<3> 1926, The Journal of Roman Studies (16), Vol. 16, p.223 (Journal). SNN59497.

<4> Market Harborough Museum Accession Book, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN18097.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP68NE17 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Annotated Record Map, Corr. 6" (R. W. Brown, 26.9.49). (Map). SNN112961.

<7> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Letter: Miss N. Whitcomb, Asst., Central Museum,NORTHAMPTON, 25.2.1960 (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<8> WW, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WW 23-FEB-60 (Note). SNN111457.

<8a> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Oral: MR. COLTMAN, Hon. Curator (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<9> WW, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WW 28-FEB-60 (Note). SNN111457.

<9a> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Oral: Mr. S. LEVETT, Cemetery Lodge, NorthamptonRoad, Market Harborough (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<10> WW, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WW 25-MAR-60 (Note). SNN111457.

<10a> Historic England, Unknown, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments, Oral: Rev. J. Whiteman, Rector, MARSTON TRUSSELL (Oral Report). SNN111577.

<11> WW, 1960, Field Investigators Comments, F1 WW 28-MAR-60 (Note). SNN111457.

<12> Scott, E., 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, p. 145/ NH3 (Monograph). SNN110345.

<13> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889717 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:55PM