Reasons for Designation
Medieval rural settlements in England were marked by great regional diversity
in form, size and type, and the protection of their archaeological remains
needs to take these differences into account. To do this, England has been
divided into three broad Provinces on the basis of each area's distinctive
mixture of nucleated and dispersed settlements. These can be further divided
into sub-Provinces and local regions, possessing characteristics which have
gradually evolved during the past 1500 years or more.
The Borders local region comprises the great slope of land between the high
Cheviots and the Solway, where hamlets and scattered farmsteads predominate,
and where bastles and tower houses recall the social conditions of the Anglo-
Scottish borders before the mid-7th century. The eastern part of the region,
containing the wastes of the Bewcastle Fells and Spadeadam, can be seen as a
separate subdivision; it was occupied by shieling grounds during the Middle
Ages and the Tudor period, and preserves the remains of associated settlement
sites.
Details
The monument includes the earthworks and buried remains of The Hill medieval
dispersed settlement and an associated corn drying kiln, together with an
early post-medieval settlement which later replaced the abandoned medieval
settlement once the former had been abandoned. It is located on the hillside
approximately 400m east of Ashycroft farm; the medieval settlement includes
the turf-covered remains of a rectangular platform upon which are traces of a
small house, while a short distance to the north west there is a second house
with its western end overlain by a corn drying kiln. The later settlement
includes the remains of two houses, and an enclosure. The turf-covered lower
courses of a stone wall or bank connects the two settlements.
The rectangular platform forming part of the medieval settlement measures
c.21m by 15m and is divided into two halves by a low earth and stone bank; the
north east corner of the platform is largely overlain by a modern sheepfold
whilst traces of the original medieval house measuring approximately 5.5m by
3.6m and up to 0.2m high are located on the south west corner of the platform.
A short distance to the north west of the platform are the earthworks of a
stone-built house measuring c.9m by 6m and up to 0.3m high with its long axis
aligned east-west. The western end of this house is overlain by the remains of
an oval corn drying kiln which survives as a low mound of stones measuring
c.7.5m by 5m and up to 0.5m high with a large central hollow. The kiln, which
must have been constructed and utilised once the adjacent house went out of
use, is approached by a short hollow way bounded by side banks from the west,
and its presence indicates the previous existence of small scale arable
farming at the settlement. A low turf-covered wall or bank runs east then
north east for a distance of approximately 80m from the medieval settlement
and connects with the early post-medieval settlement. This later settlement
includes a sub-rectangular field or enclosure which has maximum dimensions of
c.30m by 25m and is bounded by a low turf and stone wall up to 0.3m high.
Attached to the north side of the enclosure is a two-roomed stone-built house
measuring c.13m by 6m with walls up to 1m wide and 0.5m high. A short distance
to the north there are the remains of a second stone house or outbuilding
measuring c.5m square with a short length of wall foundation running east from
its north east corner. Immediately to the west of this house is a building
platform measuring 6m square which is interpreted as the site of timber
outbuilding or stock pen. This early post-medieval settlement is known to have
been in its present condition in 1854.
A modern sheepfold is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground
beneath it is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
27775
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
