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 last 1500 years or more.
The Upper Avon and Thames local region has mixed characteristics, with
elements of both `village' and `woodland' landscapes. It is distinguished by
substantial densities of villages and hamlets associated with moderate numbers
of scattered farmsteads, giving a rather dense overall pattern, but the region
still carried woodland in 1086, and the Braden and Chippenham Forests reflect
this.
Details
The monument, which falls into two areas, includes the remains of part of a
medieval settlement located to the south of Quemerford Farm and either side of
a track, the origins of which may be contemporary with the settlement.
The monument is situated on the edge of the Kimmeridge clay in a small valley
cut by the River Marden. Immediately to the north coral rag rises gently
towards Calne.
The settlement area divides into two parts. To the west of the track and at
the western edge of the area east of the track, there is a series of well-
defined house platforms, up to 0.6m high. Those which abut and are aligned on
the track provide clear evidence of its antiquity, a point also confirmed by
the route it provides between the settlement and the 13th century St Peter's
Church, now in Blackland Park. Linear banks surround and run between the
platforms. These features represent the boundaries of enclosures or closes;
one prominent example running parallel to the track on the west side stands 1m
high. Beyond the area of house platforms to the east is a series of less
distinct earthwork features representing fields. These were arranged on a
different alignment and fill the intervening area between the Quemerford
settlement and a further settlement some 250m further east. This eastern
settlement has been levelled by agricultural operations over the years and is
not included in the scheduling. Although less well preserved than the
earthworks west of the track, the visible remains of fields between the two
settlements are included in the scheduling as they represent a further
dimension to the monument not represented elsewhere.
To the west of the track, earthworks and buried remains are likely to extend
beyond the scheduling to the north, representing a further area of medieval
settlement. Remains also extend into Blackland Park to the south. The monument
includes the main focus of occupation and agricultural activity and these
areas, to the north and south are not included in the scheduling.
All fence posts and water troughs are excluded from the scheduling, although
the ground beneath these features is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
28997
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
