| Summary : Deserted Medieval settlement. Earthwork remains of building platforms, associated yards and enclosures, tracks and hollow ways survive. The settlement was concentrated on the east and west sides of a wide central street, which is cut up to 3m below ground level to the east and thought to have been an earlier course of the River Ure. To the east of the street remains include tofts, the short ends of which front onto the street and at the front of which are the remains of house foundations whilst to the rear is a large enclosure which would have been used for horticulture or stock rearing. To the west and south west of the main street are further building remains and a series of large rectangular enclosures or yards defined by earthern banks. East Tanfield is one of the best documented of the medieval deserted villages in Yorkshire. Manorial and rental accounts survive from 1300 to 1500, showing the village to have been a prosperous community in the medieval period. However, between 1513 and 1517 eight houses were destroyed and, in common with other medieval settlements in England, it became deserted. |
More information : [SE 2880 7800] East Tanfield Village [GT] (site of),
[SE 2885 7810] Towngate [T.I.] (1)
Tanfield, East. Eight houses reported destroyed 1513-17. The
outline of houses can still be traced, beside a deep depression
possibly an old meander. (2)
O.S. siting confirmed. (3)
The outline of houses are visible in these A.Ps and crop marks in
the adjoining field at SE 2872 7812 suggest a possible western
extension of the site. (4)
East Tanfield. (SE 289 779) Site scheduled and the owner
persuaded to leave it intact. (5)
Remains of this village have been surveyed at 1/2500. They
comprise numerous homestead sites in the form of rectangular
depressions, and slight demarcation baulks between individual
crofts.
All are situated on either side of the natural depression known
as Towngate (authy 1.)
There is no visible evidence of a western extension of the
site (authy 4) which is flanked on this side by arable land. The
absence of rig and furrow except at the south east corner, makes the
limits of the village indeterminable. (6)
SE 289 780. East Tanfield. Deserted village (site of). Scheduled No
NY/470. (7)
A desserted medieval settlement is visible as an earthwork on air photographs at SE 2887 7805.
Extensive and well preserved remains can be seen. A broad hollow way runs approximately north south through the site. This is flanked on both sides by tofts and enclosures. To the east The tofts are defined by banks and terraced ground. At the front are sub-rectangular depressions for houses.
To the west are other depressions. These are less well defined but appear to also be house platforms. A series of banks divide the land to the rear into enclosures.
Two broad parallel banks are visible to the south east.
(9-10)
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