Horton (Blyth)
The ancient village of Horton appears to have been situated at High Horton [NZ 27577925]. It was possibly the Alde-Horton mentioned in a 12th century deed. (1)
Local information is that the village lay just behind the Three Horse Shoes Hotel [Area NZ 27767946]. The population, about a hundred years ago, was said to be 100.(a). The area, part arable and part pasture, is 'hummocky' in places, but there are no intelligible remains. (2)
Previous report confirmed. (3)
In 1312 there were 13 taxpayers recorded in the Lay Subsidy. During the late 16th century the manor was acquired by Robert Delaval; Horton continued to sustain a number of tenant holdings, but the old demesne lands were integrated into the pastoral farm centred on Seaton. The court rolls of the late 16th century show a sharp decline in the number of customary tenements - not entirely the result of depopulation.
In 1660 there were six farms; the Hearth Tax of 1666 listed 18 houses. A 1635 rental included field names of Low Old Horton and High Old Horton suggesting the site had already been abandoned. It may refer to a movement of population in the early Middle Ages. Only two farms, a chapel, public house and several cottages remain in the vicinity of the former settlement. (4)
Deserted medieval villages of Low and High Horton identified at NZ 279797 and NZ 276793 respectively. (5)
Aerial photographs of 1968 showed remains of a group of enclosures due east of the public house, separated from the castle by ridge and furrow. The new roundabout has obliterated most of these remains. (6)
At NZ 27827936 there is a rectangular enclosure with a possible entrance in the south west corner. This may be associated with the shrunken medieval village of Horton. (7)
Possible settlement remains are visible as earthworks and soilmarks on historical and more recent air photos. The lidar imagery suggests that many of these remains have either been levelled or destroyed by road building. The key features that can be identified on the air photos are: a possible hollow way running from the bend in the Hathery Lane westward to the A189, two small mounds at NZ27772 79449 and another at NZ27761 79504, three large pits or hollows between the hollow way and Hathery Lane and, to the south of the lane, a rectangular area enclosed by banks and scarps (NZ2783 7940). Ridge and furrow (recorded in 900099) appears to encroach into the areas of possible settlement. (8) (9) (10) (11) (12)
Local information is that the village lay just behind the Three Horse Shoes Hotel [Area NZ 27767946]. The population, about a hundred years ago, was said to be 100.(a). The area, part arable and part pasture, is 'hummocky' in places, but there are no intelligible remains. (2)
Previous report confirmed. (3)
In 1312 there were 13 taxpayers recorded in the Lay Subsidy. During the late 16th century the manor was acquired by Robert Delaval; Horton continued to sustain a number of tenant holdings, but the old demesne lands were integrated into the pastoral farm centred on Seaton. The court rolls of the late 16th century show a sharp decline in the number of customary tenements - not entirely the result of depopulation.
In 1660 there were six farms; the Hearth Tax of 1666 listed 18 houses. A 1635 rental included field names of Low Old Horton and High Old Horton suggesting the site had already been abandoned. It may refer to a movement of population in the early Middle Ages. Only two farms, a chapel, public house and several cottages remain in the vicinity of the former settlement. (4)
Deserted medieval villages of Low and High Horton identified at NZ 279797 and NZ 276793 respectively. (5)
Aerial photographs of 1968 showed remains of a group of enclosures due east of the public house, separated from the castle by ridge and furrow. The new roundabout has obliterated most of these remains. (6)
At NZ 27827936 there is a rectangular enclosure with a possible entrance in the south west corner. This may be associated with the shrunken medieval village of Horton. (7)
Possible settlement remains are visible as earthworks and soilmarks on historical and more recent air photos. The lidar imagery suggests that many of these remains have either been levelled or destroyed by road building. The key features that can be identified on the air photos are: a possible hollow way running from the bend in the Hathery Lane westward to the A189, two small mounds at NZ27772 79449 and another at NZ27761 79504, three large pits or hollows between the hollow way and Hathery Lane and, to the south of the lane, a rectangular area enclosed by banks and scarps (NZ2783 7940). Ridge and furrow (recorded in 900099) appears to encroach into the areas of possible settlement. (8) (9) (10) (11) (12)
N11469
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1954; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1968; B H Pritchard
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1968; B H Pritchard
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