Monument record MDO942 - Deserted medieval farmstead, Soapers Hill Plantation, Compton Valence and West Compton

(Area centred at SY 57429419) On the W. facing slope and bottom of a narrow grass covered valley there is a series of enclosures and platforms formed by scarps or banks, 0.5m. to 1.5m. high. Associated with these are several rectangular building sites, visible as banks 0.5m - 0.7m. high enclosing areas approx. 4.0m x 8.0m.

A small stream rises in the valley; and there are two fieldways at the site, a short one in the N. side, near the stream, and
the other which extends from E-W. down the hill slope, dividing the site. It is noteable that the earthworks extend into two parishes.

The site has the position and appearance associated with md. depopulation, and was perhaps a farmstead or hamlet.

The site is visible on AP CPE/UK/2431/4149. <1>

Well marked trackways enter a banked and walled enclosure, estimated to be about 90m square, from the East. Pottery, probably of C12th-C14th date has been recovered from plough damaged areas of the site. <3>

Surveyed by the MVRG. <4>

A deserted farmstead or hamlet is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs. The site comprises a number of small enclosures, house platforms and field boundaries with a hollow way running into the settlement down the slope from the east. The settlement les in the bottom of a small combe on the boundary of West Compton and Compton Valence and is considered likely to be medieval in origin. <5-6>

Can also be seen on RAF VAP CPE/UK/1934: 4100

<1> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 23-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1963, Monuments Threatened or Destroyed. A Select List: 1956-1962, 14 (Monograph). SDO12558.

'ROUND HILL, S. of [SY 574943] Rectangular enclosure, 180 ft. by 130 ft., bounded by bank 2 ft. high with internal divisions; on valley bottom; possibly medieval; strip fields run up to it. Previously unrecorded.'

<3> Royal Archaeological Institute, 1983, Archaeological Journal 140, 21 (Serial). SDO16977.

<4> Medieval Village Research Group, 1983, Medieval Village Research Group Annual Report, 7 (Serial). SDO19801.

<5> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4148-49 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11085.

<6> Royal Air Force, 09-MAR-1948, RAF CPE/UK/2475 3245-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO11081.

<7> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/088 RCHME Inventory: Dorset I (West) and Revision, AA71/03958 (Unpublished document). SDO17367.

MEDIEVAL DEPOPULATION - PROBABLY A FARMSTEAD ASSOCIATED WITH NEARBY STRIP LYNCHETS

<8> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA71/03959 (Index). SDO14738.

MEDIEVAL DEPOPULATION - PROBABLY A FARMSTEAD

<9> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA71/03960 (Index). SDO14738.

MEDIEVAL DEPOPULATION - PROBABLY A FARMSTEAD

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive (Index). SDO14738.

<11> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450986 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 2 2023 5:37PM