Wreighill (Hepple)
At Wreigh Hill there formerly stood a considerable village. On 25th May 1412 it was pillaged and burnt by the Scots and again in 1665 it was depopulated by the plague. (1)
(NT 98090219) On the summit of Wreighill Pyke are green mounds of an ancient village of Wreighill. (2)
NT 976019 Local tradition blames the plague of 1665, but this may not be true. Already very small in 1377. (3)
Centred NT 97900215. Wreighill Pike is a prominent pasture-covered hill, rising to approx 720 feet above sea-level. It overlooks lower lying ground on all sides. The steepest slopes are to the north.
Upon the western slopes of the hill is a network of old field banks bounding a series of small rectangular plots. Along the south side of the area, dividing it from rig-and-furrow ploughing is a massive field bank which goes from Wreighill farm to the top of the hill. An old hollow way running parallel to this dyke, divides, one branch going in the direction of the dyke, the other crossing over the hill in a northerly direction. The nearest water supply is at Wreighill farm to the south-west.
There are no structural remains of the village now to be seen. The field names are modern and have no association with the site. (4)
As described by F1, the site is marked by old field banks and hollow ways, but no structural remains. (5)
Wreighill (Werihill) was a dependent of Caistron in 12th/13th century and was part of the original grant of land to Newminster Abbey. Subsequently referred to as 'bercaria de Werihill' or the grange of Weirihill. 1377: 12 adults recorded in Caistron and Wreighill. At the Dissolution five tenements in Wrieghill. Hearth Tax of 1665: eight households. Book of Rates of 1663 lists five proprietors. Armstrong's map of 1769 marks a hamlet. Wreighill declined dramatically between 1665-1821 when there were only three houses in 1821. Traditionally swept away by plague. Earthworks at NT 977020 and comprise a series of enclosures but no recognisable house sites. They do not appear characteristic of medieval tofts and may represent later settlement. (6)
(NT 98090219) On the summit of Wreighill Pyke are green mounds of an ancient village of Wreighill. (2)
NT 976019 Local tradition blames the plague of 1665, but this may not be true. Already very small in 1377. (3)
Centred NT 97900215. Wreighill Pike is a prominent pasture-covered hill, rising to approx 720 feet above sea-level. It overlooks lower lying ground on all sides. The steepest slopes are to the north.
Upon the western slopes of the hill is a network of old field banks bounding a series of small rectangular plots. Along the south side of the area, dividing it from rig-and-furrow ploughing is a massive field bank which goes from Wreighill farm to the top of the hill. An old hollow way running parallel to this dyke, divides, one branch going in the direction of the dyke, the other crossing over the hill in a northerly direction. The nearest water supply is at Wreighill farm to the south-west.
There are no structural remains of the village now to be seen. The field names are modern and have no association with the site. (4)
As described by F1, the site is marked by old field banks and hollow ways, but no structural remains. (5)
Wreighill (Werihill) was a dependent of Caistron in 12th/13th century and was part of the original grant of land to Newminster Abbey. Subsequently referred to as 'bercaria de Werihill' or the grange of Weirihill. 1377: 12 adults recorded in Caistron and Wreighill. At the Dissolution five tenements in Wrieghill. Hearth Tax of 1665: eight households. Book of Rates of 1663 lists five proprietors. Armstrong's map of 1769 marks a hamlet. Wreighill declined dramatically between 1665-1821 when there were only three houses in 1821. Traditionally swept away by plague. Earthworks at NT 977020 and comprise a series of enclosures but no recognisable house sites. They do not appear characteristic of medieval tofts and may represent later settlement. (6)
N1231
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; A S Phillips
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; D Smith
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1970; D Smith
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