Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Bremilham
Hob Uid: 212587
Location : Wiltshire Norton, St. Paul Malmesbury Without
Grid Ref : ST9036186161
Summary : Elements of a probably Medieval shrunken settlement are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1946, though a small part of the site has been levelled on aerial photographs taken in 1976. The site is known as Bremilham or Cowich or Cowage Deserted Medieval Village. The site comprises three probable crofts, two hollow ways, two buildings a possible building platform, four boundary banks and a number of spoil heaps. This site has been mapped from aerial photographs as part of the Cotswold Hills National Mapping Programme.
More information : ST 904861. Bremelham, listed as a deserted medieval village. (1) Bremilham or Cowich, a parish which ceased to exist in 1884, contained 43 inhabitants in the early 19th century and the hamlet itself consisted only of the church and adjoining farmhouse. The mortuary chapel (ST 90358609) is said to be 19th century (4), but occupies the site of the former parish church which was dedicated to Saint Michael.The font in the chapel is perpendicular and the bell is dated 1729. No traces of depopulation are visible on air photos,(7). (2-7) There are no indications of a DMV at Cowage Farm. St Michael's church was pulled down in the 19th century. The chapel built on its site is 19th century and incorporates some re-used stone. It is used annually for religious services but has no dedication. It is not a mortuary chapel. (8) (ST90358609) Mortuary Chapel (Church of England) on site of Church (NAT) (9) The mortuary chapel stands where bremilham parish church stood, the parish church being pulled down in 1875-6. (10) Elements of a probably Medieval shrunken village are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1946, though a small part of the site has been levelled on aerial photographs taken in 1976. The site is centred on ST 9033 8614 and extends over an area which measures 295 metres east-west and 260 metres north-south. The site comprises three probable crofts, two hollow ways, two buildings a possible building platform and four boundary banks. The crofts appear to be oriented NNE-SSW, and measure circa 65 metres long by 35 metres wide. They are defined by a combination of banks and scarps. The western croft appears to be subdivided and contains a building. Other spoil heaps or boundary banks may be disturbed croft banks or may be related to buildings. Two hollow ways are defined by linear ditches, extending between ST 9038 8621 and ST 9046 8619; ST 9030 8622 and ST 9024 8627. One of the hollow ways is flanked by a spoil heap. A probable building is centred on ST 9031 8620, and is defined by an amorphous mound which measures 25 metres long by 15 metres wide. It is overlaid by an L shaped boundary bank. A second possible building is defined by a sub rectangular mound within the same croft. It measures 8 metres long by 7 metres wide. A possible building platform is located at the western end of one of the hollow ways, at ST 9045 8616. It measures 25 metres long and 9 metres wide (11-13).

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : Deserted Md Villages 1971 206 (Beresford and Hurst)
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Lewis' Topo Dictionary 5th edn 1 1842 356
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : ONB Wilts 8 SW 1899 Rev 1919 12
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Source Number : 11
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Source details : NMR RAF/CPE/UK/2482 3068-3069 10-MAR-1948
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Source Number : 12
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Source details : NMR ST 9086/27 WTC 11741/ORACLE1 UNKNOWN
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Source Number : 13
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Source details : NMR ST 9087/4 NMR 961/327-328 07-JUL-1976
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Beauties of Eng and Wales 15 pt 2 1814 625 (Brayley and Britton)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : DOE (HHR) Malmesbury RD March 1950 19 8/1C
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : WAM 48 1937-9 196-7
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Bldgs of Eng Wilts 1963 224 (N Pevsner)
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : APs (106g/UK/1721 6 9 46 3158-9)
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : F1 JP 02-FEB-68
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Source Number : 8a
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Source details : Vicar of Corston
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Source Number : 9
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Source details : OS 1:2500 Wilts 8/13 1886
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Church, Deserted Settlement, Croft, Shrunken Village, Hollow Way, Building, Building Platform, Boundary Bank, Spoil Heap
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Post Medieval
Monument End Date : 1901
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Deserted Settlement
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Monument Period Name : Uncertain
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Monument End Date : 1900
Monument Start Date : 1800
Monument Type : Chapel
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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Wiltshire)
External Cross Reference Number : 455
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 98 NW 4
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1968-02-02
End Date : 1968-02-02

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1983-01-01
End Date : 1983-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1993-01-01
End Date : 1993-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 2007-10-01
End Date : 2010-10-01

Historic England Research Records

Bremilham