Buteland deserted medieval village (Birtley)
(NY 8786 8207 geographical co-ords) Black Buteland. A rectangular earthwork with single rampart (Listed under native sites). (1)
Type C (Prehistoric Section - Rectangular Works or Enclosures). (2)(3)
(Area NY 878821) Extensive enclosures for cattle and persons. (4)
Centred NY 879 820 The remains of a deserted village covering an area of approx 6 acres. It is situated on the summit of a shoulder on the north west slopes of a hill about 750 feet above OD. There is an excellent all round view except to the south east. The irregularly shaped area is bounded in most places by a low bank. Inside the perimeter the ground is very disturbed, but fragments of internal division and small enclosures representing the steadings of rectangular buildings are visible in several places. Unworked stones are visible in many of the banks, some reddened as though by action of fire. Animal burrowings have exposed fragments of coal and charcoal but no pottery was discovered. There is no evidence for dating but the remains are typical of the many deserted and depopulated villages in Northumberland, usually attributed to the mediaeval period. The reason for depopulation was not ascertained. There are no features in the area that could be associated with the rectangular earthwork referred to. (5)
In poor condition. Surveyed at 1/2500. (6)
Buteland was a member of the lordship of Prudhoe. In 1265 Richard of Buteland held the manor and four bondage tenants there. In 1395 an inquisition recorded a holding called the manor of South Buteland, the earliest of many references indicating the division of the township into two parts. The 1666 Hearth Tax entry was made under the title 'the two Butelands', and both settlements were shown on a Greenwich Hospital estate plan of 1736. Two farms were indicated at Black Buteland and two at White Buteland. Since the early C19 the whole township has been in one farm.
The present farmstead is on the site of the settlement marked in 1736 at White Buteland. Black Buteland is deserted. The site comprises a group of steadings and enclosures within an oval perimeter bank, with ridge and furrow around it on the north and west sides. (7)
Type C (Prehistoric Section - Rectangular Works or Enclosures). (2)(3)
(Area NY 878821) Extensive enclosures for cattle and persons. (4)
Centred NY 879 820 The remains of a deserted village covering an area of approx 6 acres. It is situated on the summit of a shoulder on the north west slopes of a hill about 750 feet above OD. There is an excellent all round view except to the south east. The irregularly shaped area is bounded in most places by a low bank. Inside the perimeter the ground is very disturbed, but fragments of internal division and small enclosures representing the steadings of rectangular buildings are visible in several places. Unworked stones are visible in many of the banks, some reddened as though by action of fire. Animal burrowings have exposed fragments of coal and charcoal but no pottery was discovered. There is no evidence for dating but the remains are typical of the many deserted and depopulated villages in Northumberland, usually attributed to the mediaeval period. The reason for depopulation was not ascertained. There are no features in the area that could be associated with the rectangular earthwork referred to. (5)
In poor condition. Surveyed at 1/2500. (6)
Buteland was a member of the lordship of Prudhoe. In 1265 Richard of Buteland held the manor and four bondage tenants there. In 1395 an inquisition recorded a holding called the manor of South Buteland, the earliest of many references indicating the division of the township into two parts. The 1666 Hearth Tax entry was made under the title 'the two Butelands', and both settlements were shown on a Greenwich Hospital estate plan of 1736. Two farms were indicated at Black Buteland and two at White Buteland. Since the early C19 the whole township has been in one farm.
The present farmstead is on the site of the settlement marked in 1736 at White Buteland. Black Buteland is deserted. The site comprises a group of steadings and enclosures within an oval perimeter bank, with ridge and furrow around it on the north and west sides. (7)
N8056
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1956; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; B H Pritchard
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; B H Pritchard
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