Monument record MDO761 - Deserted settlement of Wolfeton, Charminster

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Summary

Earthwork remains of a deserted medieval settlement. In 1970 these earthworks were described as consisting of at least five long parallel closes with house platforms at their western ends.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

No definite indications of desertion on air photographs. <2>

SY 679921. Deserted Medieval Village of Wolfeton. Listed. <3>

The remains west of the road are much reduced but appear to be rectangular closes some 33.0 by 22.0 metres with banks averaging 0.4 metres high. Similar features exist to the east of the road. The heights of banks and scarps vary from 0.3 metres on the north-east to 1.7 metres on the south-west, nearest the road.

No definite house platforms could be recognised though the sub-division of the closes strongly suggests they were present. Surveyed at 1:2500 on MSD. <4>

Earthwork remains of a deserted Medieval settlement at Wolfeton Manor. Fragments of several banked enclosures are visible on aerial photographs and LiDAR images to the east of the modern road . <6>


<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1, 72 (Monograph). SDO146.

‘(26) SETTLEMENT REMAINS (679923), part of the former hamlet of Wolfeton, lie on the N. side of the R. Frome immediately W. [sic] of (4).

Eyton (123-4) identified these with the 1½-hide manor of Cernel held by Hugh de Bosch Herbert in Domesday Book (Vol. I, f.83a). If this is correct it had a recorded population of only four. In 1327 there was a recorded population of two. The Muster Rolls for 1539 (L. & P., Henry VIII, Vol. 14, Pt. I., pp.267-9) list nineteen men for Wolfeton, but this total almost certainly represents the household of Wolfeton House, and also possibly includes Burton, not listed in the Roll, which formerly had a chapel (Hutchins II, 547 & 544). In the 1662 Hearth Tax Assessment, only Wolfeton House is recorded (Meekings, 8). The remains, covering about 3 acres, consist of at least five long parallel closes set at right angles to the present road to Wolfeton House. The closes are 20 yds to 30 yds. wide and of indeterminate length owing to the destruction of their E. ends; the length was at least 70 yds. They are bounded by low scarps. At their W. ends are rectangular platforms, 30 ft. by 20 ft. with 5 ft. high scarps falling to the road. The site of the former chapel is covered by a modern road.’

<2> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 3131-2 (Aerial Photograph). SDO10873.

<3> Beresford, M, 1970, Deserted Medieval Villages, 186 (Monograph). SDO19493.

<4> Attrill, N J, Field Investigators Comments NJA, F1 NJA 09-MAR-81 (Unpublished document). SDO14743.

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1994, Medieval Village Research Group Index, PRN 471 (Index). SDO16386.

<6> NOV-2006, D0067609 (Aerial Photograph). SDO10874.

<7> Historic England, Historic England Archive, BB74/04565 (Index). SDO14738.

PLAN OF SETTLEMENT REMAINS - PART OF EX-HAMLET OF WOLFETON

<8> Historic England, Historic England Archive, BB76/07698 (Index). SDO14738.

PLAN OF SETTLEMENT REMAINS - PART OF FORMER HAMLET OF WOLFETON PROBABLY ABANDONED BY MID C17

<9> Historic England, Historic England Archive, CC74/00395 (Index). SDO14738.

PLAN OF SETTLEMENT REMAINS - PART OF EX-HAMLET OF WOLFETON

<10> National Record of the Historic Environment, 453487 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Sources/Archives (10)

  • <1> Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1. 72.
  • <2> Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 22-JAN-1948. RAF/CPE/UK/2431 3131-2.
  • <3> Monograph: Beresford, M. 1970. Deserted Medieval Villages. 186.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Attrill, N J. Field Investigators Comments NJA. F1 NJA 09-MAR-81.
  • <5> Index: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1994. Medieval Village Research Group Index. PRN 471.
  • <6> Aerial Photograph: NOV-2006. D0067609.
  • <7> Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. BB74/04565.
  • <8> Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. BB76/07698.
  • <9> Index: Historic England. Historic England Archive. CC74/00395.
  • <10> Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 453487.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Location

Grid reference Centred SY 679 923 (230m by 227m) (12 map features)
Map sheet SY69SE
Civil Parish Charminster; Dorset
Unitary Authority Dorset

Protected Status/Designation

Other Statuses/References

  • Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 1 028 026
  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: 453487
  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 69 SE 107
  • Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Charminster 26

Record last edited

May 28 2025 12:12PM

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