Medieval farmstead, 650m north west of Clennell

Reasons for Designation

Farmsteads, normally occupied by only one or two families and comprising small groups of buildings with attached yards, gardens and enclosures, were a characteristic feature of the medieval rural landscape. They occur throughout the country, the intensity of their distribution determined by local topography and the nature of the agricultural system prevalent within the region. In some areas of dispersed settlement they were the predominant settlement form; elsewhere they existed alongside, or were components of, more nucleated settlement patterns. The sites of many farmsteads have been occupied down to the present day but others were abandoned as a result of, for example, declining economic viability, enclosure or emparkment, or epidemics like the Black Death. In the northern border areas, recurring cross-border raids and military activities also disrupted agricultural life and led to abandonments. Farmsteads are a common and long-lived monument type; the archaeological deposits on those which were abandoned are often well-preserved and provide important information on regional and national settlement patterns and farming economies, and on changes in these through time.

The farmstead 650m north west of Clennell survives well and retains significant archaeological deposits. It will add to our understanding and knowledge of medieval rural settlement in the area.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a farmstead of medieval date situated upon gentle east facing slopes above the River Alwin. It is visible as four irregular contiguous enclosures and the remains of two rectangular houses. The enclosures are bounded by earthen banks 4m wide which stand to a height of 0.7m. The largest of the four enclosures measures a maximum of 17m by 21m and the smallest 8m by 6m. The rectangular houses are attached to the outside of the most easterly enclosure and measure 4m by 6m.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

25021

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
RAF 106G/UK 628/3250-57, (1945)
NT 90 NW 22,

End of official list entry

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