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. (2) |