Monument record MDO19895 - Saxon and medieval manor of Bosley

The previous existence of a Saxon and medieval settlement at Bosley Farm is suggested by numerous finds of 9th-14th century pottery during the construction of an extension at the rear of Bosley Farmhouse. The settlement of 'Borstealle' is mentioned as half a mansa in a grant of land by Ethelred to Selfric his priest c. AD 985. At Domesday it was referred to as the manor of Bortel when it was held by Edward the Confessor and Alnod the priest and had 2 serfs and 4 oxen.

The manor of Bosley is first mentioned in a grant in the Christchurch Cartulary, dated circa AD 985, of the half mansa of Borstealle (Bosley) to Selfric his priest. By the time of Domesday it was referred to as the manor of Bortel and it was held by Edward the confessor, and Alnod the priest for the king, with 2 serfs and 4 oxen and the third part of a mill (1)(2). The manor was confirmed to the priory by Richard de Redvers in AD 1100 and on several subsequent occasions (2). In the 17th century a large common was associated with Bosley, extending on to St. Catherine's Hill (3). By the turn of the 20th century Bosley Farm was a small holding of c. 40 acres (1).

The extent of the former settlement may be indicated by a pair of small enclosures visible of the 1st edition OS 6" map (4).

The documentary evidence is supported by the discovery of 6000-7000 sherds of 9th-14th century pottery during the construction of an extension at the rear of Bosley Farmhouse in 1980 and subsequently in the back garden (1). Medieval pottery was also found nearby in the back garden of a house in St. Catherine's Way (5).

<1> Coleman, B, 1999, A short history of Bosley Farm (Unpublished document). SDO10445.

<2> 1912, The Victoria history of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight 5, 83-101 (Monograph). SWX3895.

<3> 1699, Map of Bosley Common (Map). SDO10446.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870, Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25 inch sheet no. 86.3 (St. Catherine's Hill, Christchurch) (Map). SDO10447.

<5> 1968, Hampshire Field Club Newsletter, 86 (Article in serial). SWX3902.

Record last edited

Nov 14 2013 10:46AM