Whittondean Farm (Whitton and Tosson)
[Marginal] A number of 'square enclosures occur on the south banks of the Whitton Dene burn. These are evidently ancient sheep and cattle folds, which, in the agreement of 1275 between the rector of Rothbury and Robert Fitz-Roger, were termed 'Bercaria''. (1)
NU 05970018. The situation is on a north-west slope between the 500ft and 600ft contour.
The earthwork consists of a complex series of interconnected enclosures partly 'scooped' into the hillside. The perimeter bank shows traces of having been constructed of large stones set on edge but the internal divisions consist of earth and stone banks average width 3m and maximum height 0.5m. There are three certain and two possible entrances.
The internal divisions appear to have been intended for segregating stock but one small enclosure, in the northern part, measuring 9m x 5m, is probably the steading of a rectangular building.
To the north-west there is a hollow-way from the stream heading in the general direction of the earthwork. The actual connection however, could not be traced. From the north-east entrance there are faint traces of a terrace following the contour. In places it has been revetted on the lower side with large stones.
The evidence points to this earthwork being used for fairly extensive stock raising, possibly a small ranch. On the moorland to the south there are fragments of old field boundaries which show certain similarities of construction with the perimeter of the enclosure. Possibly they formed part of the ranch boundary.
The site has a convenient water supply in the Whitton Burn to the north-west. (2)
The work is well described by F1. Its medieval origins and probable use as a vaccary are not in doubt, but the proportions are such as not to merit the style 'ranch', and certainly the evidence of 'field boundaries' previously noted is so slight as to have little bearing on this aspect. Surveyed at 1:2500. (3)
NU 0595 0019. Medieval monastic sheep farm (bercaria), 550m NE of Whittondean Farm. Scheduled RSM No 20884. The average size of the internal enclosures is 30m by 20m across. The most easterly enclosure has been partly overlain by a later enclosure of different character and construction. The nearest monastic complex is Brinkburn Priory, 5km to the SE. (4)
NU 05970018. The situation is on a north-west slope between the 500ft and 600ft contour.
The earthwork consists of a complex series of interconnected enclosures partly 'scooped' into the hillside. The perimeter bank shows traces of having been constructed of large stones set on edge but the internal divisions consist of earth and stone banks average width 3m and maximum height 0.5m. There are three certain and two possible entrances.
The internal divisions appear to have been intended for segregating stock but one small enclosure, in the northern part, measuring 9m x 5m, is probably the steading of a rectangular building.
To the north-west there is a hollow-way from the stream heading in the general direction of the earthwork. The actual connection however, could not be traced. From the north-east entrance there are faint traces of a terrace following the contour. In places it has been revetted on the lower side with large stones.
The evidence points to this earthwork being used for fairly extensive stock raising, possibly a small ranch. On the moorland to the south there are fragments of old field boundaries which show certain similarities of construction with the perimeter of the enclosure. Possibly they formed part of the ranch boundary.
The site has a convenient water supply in the Whitton Burn to the north-west. (2)
The work is well described by F1. Its medieval origins and probable use as a vaccary are not in doubt, but the proportions are such as not to merit the style 'ranch', and certainly the evidence of 'field boundaries' previously noted is so slight as to have little bearing on this aspect. Surveyed at 1:2500. (3)
NU 0595 0019. Medieval monastic sheep farm (bercaria), 550m NE of Whittondean Farm. Scheduled RSM No 20884. The average size of the internal enclosures is 30m by 20m across. The most easterly enclosure has been partly overlain by a later enclosure of different character and construction. The nearest monastic complex is Brinkburn Priory, 5km to the SE. (4)
N2899
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1957; E Geary
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