Monument record 1752/1 - Manor site, Mill Cotton

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Summary

Site of a moated manor destroyed by gravel extraction in the 1970s. The moat was investigated and the remains of a substantial stone bridge abutment found. The layout of the interior is almost completely unknown, although the main manor buildings may have been situated in the northern half.

Map

Type and Period (5)

Full Description

{?} Earthwork of a medieval moated enclosure

{1} North of the site of Mill Cotton [SP 97 SE 62] and completely destroyed by 1964 was a rectangular enclosure bounded by shallow ditches with an internal bank on the S side (shown on OS map). Air photographs taken before destruction indicate that the internal bank also extended along the E and W sides. [RCHM plan].

{3} Bridges describes the remains here of a square intrenchment with high earth bank and deep ditch; a good part of each remaining on the N and W sides. Bridges appears to connect this earthwork with the DMV of Mill Cotton, suggesting that Chapel-close, and other adjoining enclosures, were formerly a part of it.

{5} Site had been ploughed by 1974

{6} A large bank of a moat was levelled by the farmer and spread across the field in the 1950s. Aerial photos NCCAP:9674/(+);

{7} Destruction of moated enclosure was observed by David Hall in 1973 and R A H Williams in 1974. Enclosure was roughly rectangular in plan with internal dimensions of 135m N-S by 85m E-W. Remnants of internal and external banks noted. The moat appears to be broad and flat-bottomed c 13m wide and 1.5m deep and the fills were a mixture of clays, sand and sandy gravels; water deposited silts indicate that the moat contained water for at least part of the year. The northern arm of the moat was defined by a stream channel; the eastern arm was c 6m wide and 2.4m deep and consisted of two channels sepatated by a narrow ridge or spine; the western channel was c 6m wide and up to 2.6m deep. The date of the moated enclosure is unknown.The moat was recut, following the accumulation of silts, to form a channel only 3m wide. A late 13th or early 14th century date can be suggested for the remodelling of the eastern side of the moat - based on find of 13th century leather shoe and single sherd of pottery from the same silts.Interior of enclosure unknown - D Hall noted presence of stone scatters (stone buildings) and a ditch running east to west which could have divided the area in two. R A H Williams observed destruction of southern part of enclosure and saw no trace of structural remains.

Substantial bridge abutment constructed within fills of western and eastern channels - superstructure suggests elaborate bridge which would have been appropriate for the main entrance to a manorial complex.Surviving structure of masonry bridge abutment was 6.5m long and 1.25m wide. Return walls ran westward from the main structure for 3-4m. Five or six off set courses of roughly faced limestone blocks stood on and revetted a core of limestone rubble. The east face of the wall was entirely in roughly coursed and dressed ironstone while the western face was a mixture of ironstone and limestone. Within the fills of the adjacent length of the moat there were several chamfered ironstone blocks, one of which was grooved.

{8} Find of an urn containing ashes found moated enclosure.

{12} This site was extant in 1947 (see Aps CPE/UK 1925 1253-4) but had been freshly filled by 1954 (see AP RAF 1312/26 May 1954-08052 -0195).
It is now levelled and under pasture. No additional historical reference were obtained, but the air photographs suggest this to have probably been a manorial work.

{13} Deserted settlement of Mill Cotton (SP 969744). Excavations just outside the northern enclosure in 1973, before destruction by gravel-working, revealed a C14th bakehouse and C11th and C12th ditches. Excavations in 1974 within the enclosure showed no trace of any building; the surrounding moat was found to be revetted at one point.


<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.85/Site 8 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> OS 25 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN37258.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.190 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97SE1 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> Northamptonshire Archaeology, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN37261.

<6> 1987, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN50452.

<7> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.130-31 (unchecked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<8> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p. 194 & 220 (Series). SNN100368.

<9> Chapman, A., 1974, Excavations at Mill Cotton, Ringstead, Northamptonshire; 1973-74 (Report). SNN57316.

<10> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p.516 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<11> Parry S. et al, 2006, Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94, p. 186-195 (Book). SNN105780.

<12> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 26-NOV-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<13> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 192/Site 8 (Series). SNN77382.

Sources/Archives (13)

  • <1> Series: Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England. 1975. An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton. 1. HMSO. p.85/Site 8 (checked).
  • <2> Map: OS 25 INCH MAP. (unchecked).
  • <3> Book: Bridges J.. 1791. The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire. 2. p.190 (unchecked).
  • <4> Index: Ordnance Survey. 1950s/1960s. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. Ordnance Survey. SP97SE1 (unchecked).
  • <5> Journal: Northamptonshire Archaeology. Northamptonshire Archaeology. (unchecked).
  • <6> Uncertain: 1987. ORAL REPORT TO SMR. (unchecked).
  • <7> Draft: Parry S.. 1993. Raunds Area Survey Report. p.130-31 (unchecked).
  • <8> Series: Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M. 1902. The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire. 1. University of london. p. 194 & 220.
  • <9> Report: Chapman, A.. 1974. Excavations at Mill Cotton, Ringstead, Northamptonshire; 1973-74. Northamptonshire Archaeology.
  • <10> Book: Morton J.. 1712. The Natural History of Northamptonshire. p.516 (unchecked).
  • <11> Book: Parry S. et al. 2006. Raunds Area Survey: An Archaeological Study of The Landscape of Raunds, Northamptonshire 1985-94. EH, NCC, Oxbow Books. p. 186-195.
  • <12> Note: Baird, J. 1969. Field Investigators Comments. F1 JB 26-NOV-69.
  • <13> Series: Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England. 1982. An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton. 4. HMSO. p. 192/Site 8.

Finds (3)

Related Monuments/Buildings (5)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Location

Grid reference Centred SP 9690 7464 (220m by 176m)
Civil Parish RINGSTEAD, North Northamptonshire (formerly East Northants District)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • NRHE HOB UID: 347329

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:03PM

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