Monument record MLI51334 - Somerby Deserted Medieval Village, Corringham

Summary

Site of the deserted medieval village of Somerby in Corringham.

Type and Period (3)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

Site of the deserted medieval village of Somerby. Documentary evidence clearly indicates a final depopulation in the later 15th and 16th centuries through conversion to pasture for sheep by the Topcliffe family, following an earlier decline in the late 14th century. The depopulation was complete by 1616 when there were 'noe particular tenementes within this township' except the old moated manor house. There was a medieval chapel subject to Corringham in 1277. Selective excavations in advance of total destruction in 1957 confirmed the general picture, revealing stone walls and surfaced roads, and a house on a platform whose latest use ran up to the mid 16th century. The general range of finds extended from the 11th to the late 16th centuries. Aerial photographs and an earthwork plan of the settlement before destruction show a two-row street; the rows are of different depths and with variations within a row that might suggest expansion over former arable. {1}{2}{3}{4}{5}{6}{7}{8} The 1957 excavations consisted largely of trial trenches, and the partial stripping of one platform only. The platform had the remains of buildings, interpreted as a two-bay house with adjoining workshop, possibly a smithy, yard and a well. A spread of cobbles was also found, and was believed to represent an earlier house on the site. Finds of 11th to 16th century pottery included Stamford ware, Torksey ware, Shelly wares, Lincoln ware, Toynton ware, Cistercian ware, and post-medieval German stonewares from Raeren and Cologne. Other finds included bone points, whetstones, iron horseshoes, spurs, knife blades, harness fittings, padlocks and keys, buckles, daggers, purse frame bars, pitchforks, hinge and door fittings, bronze bells, thimble, buckle, pin, ring, handle and possible harness pendant, lead weights, a pewter spoon handle, four jettons, a coin weight, and a decorated floor tile. {9} The site was formerly a scheduled ancient monument, but is no longer designated. The exact date of its de-scheduling is not known, but is likely to be shortly after the site was excavated in 1957. {10} Further medieval pottery was recovered from the site in 1977, during a programme of field walking. {11}{12}

Sources/Archives (12)

  •  Index: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Card Index. SK 88 NW: 9.
  •  Index: Lincolnshire County Council. Sites and Monuments Record Card Index. SK 88 NW.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: P.L. Everson, C.C. Taylor and C.J. Dunn. 1991. Change and Continuity: Rural Settlement in North-West Lincolnshire. pp.viii, 7, 9, 14, 38, archive notes.
  •  Aerial Photograph: J.K.S. St Joseph. 1945-79. Cambridge University Collection. PG 41-2, 44, 1955.
  •  Aerial Photograph: J.K.S. St Joseph. 1945-79. Cambridge University Collection. AUE 15 & 17, AWR 89.
  •  Photograph: CORBETT D. 1957. PARISH FILE. CORRINGHAM. -.
  •  Aerial Photograph: COLE, C.. 1993-2002. InnerVisions Business Presentations. 137/0896/21, 1996.
  •  Map: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1992-1996. National Mapping Programme. SK8489: LI.657.10.1-3.
  •  Article in Serial: MYNARD, D.C.. 1969. LINCOLNSHIRE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY. vol.4, pp.63-91.
  •  Scheduling Record: AM 7. SAM 126.
  •  Artefact: City and County Museum Collection. LM 141.77.
  •  Report: MUSTY J. 1977. PARISH FILE. CORRINGHAM. Small finds list.

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Location

Grid reference Centred SK 8467 8970 (453m by 364m) Estimated from sources
Civil Parish CORRINGHAM, WEST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (3)

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Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

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