Monument record MLI50029 - Shrunken Medieval Settlement Remains, Riby

Summary

Earthwork remains of the shrunken medieval settlements at Riby.

Type and Period (5)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

The earthwork remains of the deserted medieval settlement of Riby. The surviving earthworks have been disturbed by intensive parkland tree-planting in the 19th century and their relationships are obscure. They nevertheless indicate that former settlement was probably made up of two distinct nuclei, possibly relating to the medieval tenurial situation. In 1086, Riby was divided between two holdings. One was sokeland of the Earl of Checter, already then sub-infuedated, with the remainder being a manor belonging to Roger of Poitou. Although the holdings were held together by Geoffrey Fitzpayne in about 1115, the two manors were again separated about a century later and remained so until the end of the 17th century, when the unified estate passed to the Tomline family. It was the latter who created the parkland that still survives today. Another manor in Riby, together with the advowson of the church, was held by the Augustinian abbey of Wellow, perhaps from its foundation in the reign of Henry II. This was apparently usually leased. Of the two nuclei, one is associated with St Edmund's church. The surviving earthworks comprise a hollow way with rectangular property plots and stone-walled foundations. There were perhaps also earlier village properties in the area around Church Farm which is now under permanent arable. A second focus lies to the south in Riby Park occupying the sides of a dry valley. Although contiguous with the church nucleus, it nevertheless has its own inner coherence based principally on a deep hollow way, running south-west down the slope, suggesting a distinct and separate settlement. On the south-east of the hollow way, a set of clsoes contains many stone-built banks, not obviously forming groups of buildings. A second hollow way runs at right angles along the bottom of the slope with a number of properties lying along it. See Everson, Taylor and Dunn for a more detailed description and history. {1}{2}{3}{4}{5}{6}{7} Evidence for a medieval ditch (dating to the 13th to 16th century) and a post-medieval drain was revealed in April 2003, during a watching brief. The medieval ditch is on a similar alignment to previously recorded cropmarks. {8}{9}

Sources/Archives (9)

  •  Bibliographic Reference: P.L. Everson, C.C. Taylor and C.J. Dunn. 1991. Change and Continuity: Rural Settlement in North-West Lincolnshire. p.155, figs.31, 113, notes.
  •  Index: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Card Index. TA 10 NE: 8.
  •  Aerial Photograph: J.K.S. St Joseph. 1945-79. Cambridge University Collection. FO 54-5, 57-8 (1951).
  •  Aerial Photograph: HARTLEY, R.F.R.. 1980-92. LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. 13 (1989).
  •  Map: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1992-1996. Lincolnshire National Mapping Programme. TA1807: LI.289.1.1-4.
  •  Aerial Photograph: J.K.S. St Joseph. 1945-79. Cambridge University Collection. AQR 30 (1964).
  •  Aerial Photograph: LUCK, G.. 1993-97. GORDON LUCK COLLECTION. - (1997).
  •  Report: Archaeological Project Services. April 2003. Archaeological watching brief on land at Church Hill, Riby. RCH03.
  •  Archive: Archaeological Project Services. April 2003. Archaeological watching brief on land at Church Hill, Rib. LCNCC 2003.99.

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Location

Grid reference Centred TA 1842 0719 (967m by 891m) Estimated from sources
Civil Parish RIBY, WEST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

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