More information : TF 049967 DMV of Beasthorpe, destroyed after 1946. First documented
in the early 14th century, Beasthorpe was reduced to a single
household by 1563, but the field evidence indicates it had once been
larger: APs (a) show it to have had basically a 2-row layout of plots
on an E-W way, with a separate, and perhaps later, group of closes on
the N-S through road. The settlement seems to have been fitted in
between furlongs of arable or to have expanded over them. (1-1a)
An interpretation and transcription of earthwork remains visible
on good quality air photographs at Beasthorpe, indicate they
form part of an extensive Medieval and Post-Medieval linear
settlement, extending N-S over approximately 3.5kms. Documentary
research, suggests that at least nine separate nuclei existed,
forming a polyfocal layout (1b). To the south of Beasthorpe,
lies the village of Thornton Le Moor (see TF 09 NE 16). Further
to the SE, lies the hamlet of Cauthorpe (see TF 09 NE 22) and
other remains representing more of these settlement nuclei
(see TF 09 NE 18 & TF 09 SE 40).
The earthworks recorded at Beasthorpe, now levelled, follows the
pattern seen elsewhere in this linear settlement, of E-W hollow
ways flanked by crofts. The hollow way, centred at TF 0490 9665,
is flanked to the N & S by crofts, ditched enclosures, on average
90m by 30m. To the west, at TF 0470 9670, are fragments of more
enclosures, 45m wide, also interpreted as crofts.
To the north of the crofts, at TF 0478 9678, is a broad
curvilinear ditch, interpreted as a previous Medieval road
alignment. To the east of the crofts, at TF 0505 9672, is a
boundary bank, which may be the remnants of a headland of ridge
and furrow. At TF 0481 9670 is a circular enclosure, 18m in
diameter, defined by a substantial bank, with an entrance on the
western side, interpreted as a possible Post-Medieval sheep fold.
(Morph No. LI.504.1.1-5)
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
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