More information : North Stoke (Nortstoches) is mentioned in the Domesday Survey as a possession of Earl Morcar, claimed by the Norman baron, Drew de Beurere.
There was formerly a church (St. Andrew) here. [See SK 92 NW 5 for Saxon cross found in the ruins].
OS 1" 1824 shows North Stoke as a hamlet of about fifteen buildings, centred at SK 917283, but there is no symbol for a church. APs (4) show indeterminate marks in this area. (1-4)
There are no surface indications of desertion in the area which is now extensive parkland. (5)
The village was removed when it was decided to rebuild Stoke Rochford Hall (completed 1842) and empark the whole area. There were 19 buildings in 1796 but only 3 in 1880. (6)
The probable site of St Andrew's Church was excavated by D Kaye in 1968 (at SK 917286). Pottery from the 11th-14th century was found, but only the southern part of the building has been excavated so far. A bank to the NW of the church revealed 16th-17th century and Saxo-Norman pottery etc. The land W of the church seems to indicate the churchyard, and beyond this a series of grassed hummocks may be the site of the rectory, said to have been burnt down in 1697.
To the SW of the 'churchyard' two large buildings were discovered one associated with Saxo-Norman Stamford and other similar wares (7). (6-7)
Additional reference. (8-9)
[SK 916285] Excavation continued in 1972 of a building, possible site of manor house, c.45m W of church. Eleventh century pottery found in foundation trenches. (10-12)
Possible Medieval or post-Medieval earthworks visible on the slopes
overlooking a small stream could be associated with the Medieval
village refered to by the previous authorities. The following
features centred at SK 9162 2844 were mapped from poor quality air
photographs.
On the south facing slope are the remains of four potential crofts
which are visible as conjoined bank defined enclosures on average 30m
by 25m. Attached to these are a series of linear banks and a ditch
which are probably associated boundaries. Also on the south facing
slope are a series of linear banks which could be defining lynchets.
(Morph No. LI.794.9.1)
The features described above have probably survived because they are
situated in the parkland associated with Stoke Rochford House which
will probably have had relatively little cultivation since the land
was emparked. The features may also have survived because they are
on marginal land i.e. on relatively steep slopes overlooking a
stream. The features are not necessarily of Medieval date and could
be post-Medieval and be associated with the parkland.
This description is based on data from the RCHME MORPH2 database.
(13)
Three fragments of a mid 11th century cross-shaft were found in the church ruins in the first decade of the 20th century. Of limestone and severely weathered, they are of South Kesteven type. They are now in the churchyard of St Mary's and st Andrew's Church at South Stoke. (14) |