Shaftoe shrunken medieval village (Capheaton)
NZ 060818 Deserted medieval village at East Shaftoe. (1)
Remains of the village are visible as two rows of house foundations, with a space between for a broad street or town green, running westwards for 200 yards behind East Shaftoe Hall. (2)
Visible on aerial photographs. (3)
Depopulation remains in the form of isolated enclosures and disturbed ground are visible in the area centred NZ 058818, together with traces to the south and west of the Hall; but no coherent plan is recoverable. (4)
The manor of Shaftoe was held by the lords of Bolam in the 13th century. The 1296 Lay Subsidy recorded 12 taxpayers. Only six adults were recorded in the 1377 Poll Tax.
There is no evidence to suggest that the medieval vill was divided into two parts - East and West - as it is today. The earliest reference for the two settlements is in 1568.
In 1734 West Shaftoe contained eight families, and East Shaftoe had seven. Armstrong's map of 1769 showed West Shaftoe comprised four farms and East Shaftoe a hall and one other building. The two estates were reunited in 1821.
The site of the medieval vill is East Shaftoe. Its remains include house sites and croft boundaries. Ridge and furrow defines the north side of the village. Parts of two rows of tenements are visible facing a sunken way, with crofts behind them. Plantations have reduced the extent of visible earthworks as well as three cottages and quarrying. (5)
A well and cross base found in 1989. Millpond lies to south end with remains of a building and sluice gate. Village visible on aerial photographs. (6)
Remains of the village are visible as two rows of house foundations, with a space between for a broad street or town green, running westwards for 200 yards behind East Shaftoe Hall. (2)
Visible on aerial photographs. (3)
Depopulation remains in the form of isolated enclosures and disturbed ground are visible in the area centred NZ 058818, together with traces to the south and west of the Hall; but no coherent plan is recoverable. (4)
The manor of Shaftoe was held by the lords of Bolam in the 13th century. The 1296 Lay Subsidy recorded 12 taxpayers. Only six adults were recorded in the 1377 Poll Tax.
There is no evidence to suggest that the medieval vill was divided into two parts - East and West - as it is today. The earliest reference for the two settlements is in 1568.
In 1734 West Shaftoe contained eight families, and East Shaftoe had seven. Armstrong's map of 1769 showed West Shaftoe comprised four farms and East Shaftoe a hall and one other building. The two estates were reunited in 1821.
The site of the medieval vill is East Shaftoe. Its remains include house sites and croft boundaries. Ridge and furrow defines the north side of the village. Parts of two rows of tenements are visible facing a sunken way, with crofts behind them. Plantations have reduced the extent of visible earthworks as well as three cottages and quarrying. (5)
A well and cross base found in 1989. Millpond lies to south end with remains of a building and sluice gate. Village visible on aerial photographs. (6)
N10570
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1968; B H Pritchard
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