Monument record MDO4031 - Deserted medieval village of Ranston, Iwerne Courtney

Earthwork remains of a medieval settlement recorded in the Domesday Book. The remains cover about 6 acres. It is not known when the village was deserted, but it seems to have been unoccupied by the late seventeenth century. A square enclosure in the centre of the settlement has been interpreted as the possible site of a chapel. The record for this monument has been enhanced with support from Wessex Water.

The area of Ranston Park known as 'Chapel Hayes' is traditionally the site of a chapel dating from about the 14th century. No documentary evidence could be found, but the earthwork at ST 86371199 is similar to other chapel sites examined. <3>

ST 86371199 The oval platform (published as Chapel (site of) (b)), within the central enclosure measures 21.0 m east to west by 11.0 m north to south and up to 0.6 m high. The surrounding enclosure is poorly defined and two further rectangular enclosures, whose purpose is unclear, can be distinguished to the west and north
east, as well as faint scarps and hollows. No further building platforms were identified. The causeway which crosses the east part of the site is a former carriageway, now disused. Survey (1:2500) revised on AO Model and CR paper copy. <6>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1948, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1947, 49 (Serial). SDO47.

<2> Royal Air Force, 18-JUL-54, RAF F21/58/1332 27-28 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18364.

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 11-JAN-56 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3.1> Baker, Sir Randolph, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments: Sir Randolph Baker, Ranston House, Shroton (Verbal communication). SDO18365.

<4> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1962 (Map). SWX1540.

ST 86371199 Chapel (NR) (site of) (NAT)

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1, 129, 131 (Monograph). SDO146.

'(16) SETTLEMENT REMAINS (863120) of the former village of Ranston lie in Ranston Park on the E. side of the R. Iwerne.

The settlement was one of the Iwernes in Domesday Book and has been identified by Eyton (p. 137) as the three-hide manor of Robert, son of Gerald (D.B. Vol. I, f. 8ob): this manor had a recorded population of nine. By 1274 five free tenants and ten villeins were listed (Dorset Procs. Vol. LXIX, 49). The settlement is not recorded seperately in the mid 14th-century Subsidy Rolls but it is possible that it was included with Iwerne Stepleton. After this date there is no record of population until 1662, when nothing but Ranston House remained (Meeking, p. 67, s.v. 'Steepleton'). Any surviving dwellings were probably destroyed when the 17th-century house was built.

The remains cover about 6 acres and are mainly indeterminate banks and scarps, up to 3 ft. high and distributed around an almost square enclosure with sides 30 yds. Long. The enclosure is bounded on the S. and E. by a low bank with an outer ditch and on the N. and W. by a scarp 1 ft. high, orientated E.-W.; it is marked on O.S. maps as the site of a chapel'.

<6> Chaplin, C P, Various, Field Investigators Comments CC, F2 CC 11-JAN-78 (Unpublished document). SWX3450.

<6.1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, 1963 (Map). SDO10373.

<7> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1994, Medieval Village Research Group Index, PRN 447 (Index). SDO16386.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206126 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 24 2022 2:50PM