Record Details

NHER Number:11733
Type of record:Monument
Name:Beeston St Lawrence deserted medieval village

Summary

The Domesday Book records a deserted medieval village called Beeston St Lawrence. The location of the site is uncertain and any remaining earthworks may have been removed in the extension of Beeston Hall Park (NHER 8288). Metal detecting at this site has recovered Roman, medieval and post medieval pottery and metal objects including four Roman coins and an unusual medieval padlock key.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TG 32 21
Map Sheet:TG32SW
Parish:ASHMANHAUGH, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

In Domesday and Nomina Villarum. 28 taxpayers in 1334.
Black Death relief granted in 1377 to 1381.
Tax relief assessed in 1449.
Ordnance Survey card.

Site indicated is part pasture and part ploughed; it lies across a dry valley, on the sides of which are terraces, but probably natural. No earthworks. An 18th century account mentioned in church guidebook refers to village being clustered round church at that date. So what is evidence for Ordnance Survey site?
Visited E. Rose (NAU) 16 May 1979.

1984.
Medieval sherds found and soilmark of road seen. Roman coin and sherds found. See (S1).
A. Gregory (NAU) 27 July 1984.

The 18th century account mentioned above was by Rev.W.Gunn in 1779 who says the village was 'along the road from Norwich to Smallburgh'. An unsigned survey made before 1800 does not show any village and it may have been removed in extending the park in the 1780s - see NHER 8288. The main road formerly ran east of the church which may explain the discrepancy in the accounts.
E.Rose (NLA) 13 September 1991.

November 1991. Metal detecting.
Four 14th century objects.
See file.
D.A.Gurney (NLA) 14 November 1991.

February 1992. Metal detecting.
Medieval and post medieval metalwork.
See list in file.
D.A.Gurney (NLA) 28 February 1992.

November 1992. Metal detecting.
Medieval buckle, belt mount.
Post medieval fob seal.
See file.
D.Gurney (NLA) 14 December 1992.

1998. Metal detecting find
Medieval key, Winchester style.
Identified by the British Museum. See photograph (S1) in file.
A.Rogerson (NLA) 13 April 1999.

1998. Metal detecting.
Medieval bronze key like object, of uncertain function.
A.Rogerson (NLA) 18 July 1999.

Monument Types

  • ROAD (Undated)
  • DESERTED SETTLEMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds

  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • KEY (LOCKING) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SEAL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SEAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TG 32 SW 2.
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
<S1>Photograph: NCC Find Identification and Recording Service. c. 1975-2000. HES Find Polaroid Collection. HES Find Polaroid Collection. polaroid. black and white.

Related records - none

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