Medieval settlement 470m east of Hartyland

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. This monument lies in the extensive south-west Peninsula sub-Province of the Northern and Western Province, an area climatically, culturally and physically distinct from the rest of England. It includes varying terrains, from the granite uplands, through rolling dissected plateaux to fertile clay lowlands in the east. While nucleated settlements are present, notably in the Devon Lowlands and throughout the South Hams, many originated as small towns, and a high proportion may be of later date. Excluding only the moorland masses, the sub-Province is characterised by medium and high densities of dispersed settlements; indeed, some of the former industrial areas had densities as high as any in the country. The Dartmoor local region is a high, undulating moorland scenically and climatically distinct. The inner core, now treeless, is the ancient `Forest of Dartmoor', while an outer ring of commons provides grazing for a number of communities outside the Forest. Almost devoid of nucleated settlement, the region has extremely low densities of dispersed settlement. Scattered farmsteads and hamlets with irregular enclosed fields appear in peripheral valleys, while above the present head-dyke are numerous traces of abandoned settlements and fields.

The medieval settlement 470m east of Hartyland survives well and is unusually situated immediately adjacent to a blowing mill. This type of close relationship is very rare on Dartmoor and it is possible that this settlement may also contain crucial information relating to the domestic aspects of the tin industry. Information relating to usual agricultural activities will also survive.

Details

The monument comprises a medieval settlement situated within the valley of the Stannon Brook. The medieval settlement includes three buildings packed closely together on a terrace above the Stannon Brook. The northern building is the largest within the settlement and this measures 10.8m by 3.4m internally and in common with the other structures is denoted by turf-covered walling measuring between 0.8m and 1.5m wide standing up to 0.5m high.

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:

34497

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
SX67NW118, Devon County Sites and Monuments Register, (1985)

End of official list entry

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