More information : A field survey and air photographic interpretation and transcription
of earthwork remains at Thornton le Moor indicate that 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 (1a). To the north west of Thornton le Moor (TF 09
NE 16) lies the hamlet of Beasthorpe (TF 09 NW 15) and to the south
east the hamlet of Cauthorpe (TF 09 NE 22).
Further south in the parish of Owersby other remains representing
more of these settlement nuclei were seen as earthworks and cropmarks
and are described in TF 09 NE 18 and below:-
Fragmentary remains of crofts (20m to 30m wide) and tofts (8m wide)
were mapped at TF 0608 9477, TF 0611 9471, TF 0617 9465, TF 0631
9388 and TF 0632 9370. A possible building platform, 10m by 10m,
was recorded within one of these crofts, at TF 0607 9470.
To the south east is a series of irregular ditches (centred at TF
0645 9403) which could be trackways across waterlogged land or
drains, probably of Medieval date. Centred at TF 0621 9408 is a
boundary ditch which appears to cut through a field of ridge and
furrow but could still be of late Medieval date. It is of unusual
construction, being a wide bank flanked by ditches for the N-S
stretch and a wide ditch flanked by banks for the E-W stretch. The
ditch is so wide in parts that it could feasibly have been used as
some kind of pond. This feature could be linked to the possible
drainage system to the east.
(Morph Nos. LI.504.7.1 - 7.7, 9.1 - 9.3, 10.1, 11.1, 12.1 - 12.2)
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
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