Monument record MLI83888 - South Witham Settlement

Summary

The settlement of South Witham has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon period.

Type and Period (4)

  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age to Modern - 900 AD? to 2050 AD)
  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age to Medieval - 1000 AD to 1300 AD)
  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age to Medieval - 1000 AD to 1300 AD)
  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age to Medieval - 1000 AD to 1300 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

Full Description

South Witham is named after the River Witham, and is first documented in the Domesday Book at which time Alfred of Lincoln owned a manor, Countess Judith held sokeland and half a church (the Templars also owned half which went to the King's hands in 1312 as part of the possessions of the order). Ernuin (the priest) also held land at South Witham. The minimum population at that time was 35. The landholdings in South Witham have associations with Thistleton and Market Overton in Rutland. There were 33 households recorded in 1563. In the nineteenth century the population rose from 343 in 1801, peaked in 1851 at 544, and fell to 396 in 1901. {1}{2}{3}{4} Evidence for medieval activity in the village was identified in April 2002, during an excavation at 8Church Lane, South Witham. Although most of the activity is interpreted as industrial, some of the features may relate to domestic activity. This includes a fragmentary stone structure with a hearth or oven. Post-medieval quarries were also recorded (see PRN 36112). {5}{6} A watching brief was carried out to the north of the church on land to the rear of Sycamore House at SK 9272 1949. Features dating from the eleventh to thirteenth century were recorded, comprising post holes, pits and linear features. Pottery dating from the tenth to the thirteenth century was recovered from the site, the tenth century sherds being residual. The pottery and animal bone which was recovered suggest a domestic use for this area, although the iron working slag which was also found suggests that there was some industrial activity in the area (see 36113 and 36111). {7}{8} A watching brief on land off Church Street (SK 92663 19368) uncovered an undated, but probably post-medieval, pit and the corner of a building which appears on the 1890-91 Ordnance Survey map (PRN36110a). {9}{10}

Sources/Archives (10)

  •  Bibliographic Reference: Kenneth Cameron. 1998. A Dictionary of Lincolnshire Place-Names. page 141.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: C.W. Foster and T. Longley. 1924. Lincolnshire Domesday and Lindsey Survey. 27/47-8; 56/20,22; 68/25.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: William Page (ed). 1906. The Victoria County History: Lincolnshire - Volume 2. page 212.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Gerald A.J. Hodgett. 1975. Tudor Lincolnshire. page 191.
  •  Report: University of Leicester Archaeological Services. 2002. 8 Church Lane, South Witham. -.
  •  Archive: University of Leicester Archaeological Services. 2002. 8 Church Lane, South Witham. LCNCC 2001.448.
  •  Report: University of Leicester Archaeological Services. 2002. Land to the Rear of Sycamore House, Church Street, South Witham. SHS WO2.
  •  Archive: University of Leicester Archaeological Services. 2002. Land to the rear of Sycamore House, Church Street, South Witham. LCNCC 2002.311.
  •  Report: Pre-Construct Archaeology. 2005. Watching Brief - Land off Church Street, South Witham. SOW 05.
  •  Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeology. 2005. Watching Brief - Land off Church Street, South Witham. LCNCC 2005.248.

Map

Find a placename, postcode or grid reference

Map layers

Base layers

Info

Record list

Tools

Location

Grid reference Centred SK 9268 1935 (357m by 508m)
Civil Parish SOUTH WITHAM, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (4)

Related Events/Activities (4)

Please contact the HER for details.

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

Feedback?

Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.