Monument record MLI80584 - Skellingthorpe Settlement

Summary

The settlement of Skellingthorpe is first documented in the Domesday Book, and still survives.

Type and Period (9)

  • (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 2050 AD)
  • (Medieval to Late 20th Century - 1066 AD to 1987 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • (Post Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1900 AD)
  • (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • ? (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

The settlement of Skellingthorpe is first documented in the late 11th century. Baldwin is recorded in the Domesday Book as owning land in Skellingthorpe. At this time it was known as Scelinhop or Scheldinchope. The origins of the name are unclear. The first element has been interpreted as Old English 'Scleding' - 'the shield-shaped hill', and the second element may mean 'enclosure in the marsh'. The replacement of 'hop' by the Old Danish 'thorp' is recorded early. {1}{2} The only recorded physical remains of the medieval settlement are fishponds and water channels and ridge and furrow remains. They were reported as being in excellent condition in 1981 (A.Peach). It was reported in August 1987 that the area had been flattened, the ponds infilled, drainage ditches put through, and the hedges uprooted by the owner. The focus of the early settlement was around the church in the north of the present village. {3}{4} There were between 32 and 39 families recorded as living in Skellingthorpe in the early 18th century. {5} There appears to have been some expansion of the settlement south towards the railway line during the mid-late 19th century. {6}{7} Evidence for the occupation of Skellingthorpe from the late medieval to modern periods was revealed during trial trenching on land fronting Ferry Lane and Lower Church Road (SK 9258 7220). There was a large ditch which was identified as a boundary ditch of post-medieval date. In the top fill there was post-medieval tile as well as a 19th century leather shoe. There was a brick lined well which was also dated as post-medieval by the tile and brick it contained. A large proportion of the tile fragments found on this site were found to be wasters from a previously unknown tile kiln. It is possible that the location of the kiln is nearby to this site. There were many field drains uncovered on this site, which demonstrates that the site has been used for agricultural use since the late 19th century. There was also three courses of a brick wall uncovered. Only a corner was uncovered and so the original use and date is not known, however it is sealed beneath a 16th-17th century layer. {8}{9} Chemical and thin section analysis of the tile failed to identify the origins of the clays but they are unlikely to be from Skellingthorpe and perhaps come from the brickworks to the east of Skellingthorpe such as Long Leys Road or South Common. {10}

Sources/Archives (10)

  •  Bibliographic Reference: Morris, J. (ed.). 1986. Domesday Book for Lincolnshire. 65, 4.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Kenneth Cameron. 1998. A Dictionary of Lincolnshire Place-Names. p.110.
  •  Map: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1992-1996. National Mapping Programme. SK9272: LI.632.1-2, 1995.
  •  Unpublished Document: Peach, A. and Stamp, H.. 1987. Notes regarding medieval earthworks. -.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: R.E.G. Cole. 1913. Speculum Dioeceseos Lincolniensis sub Episcopis Gul: Wake et Edm: Gibson A.D.1705-1723. Part 1: Archdeaconries of Lincoln and Stow. pp.18, 43, 107.
  •  Map: Ordnance Survey. 1824-1825. 1 Inch Map - First Edition. 1:63360. Lincoln.
  •  Map: Ordnance Survey. 1907-1950. 25 Inch County Series Map - Third Edition. 1:2500. 70/5.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Mar 2005. Trial trenching on land fronting Ferry Lane and Lower Church Road, Skellingthorpe. LAS site code: SKFL 05.
  •  Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Mar 2005. Trial trenching on land fronting Ferry Lane and Lower Church Road, Skellingthorpe. LCNCC 2005.5.
  •  Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. 2008. Land Fronting Ferry Lane and Lower Church Road, Skellingthorpe: Characterisation of Ceramic Building Materials. LAS site code: SKFL 05.

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Location

Grid reference Centred SK 9251 7209 (887m by 722m) Estimated from sources
Civil Parish SKELLINGTHORPE, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Related Events/Activities (2)

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Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

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