Easthorpe – Deserted Medieval Village, East Yorkshire

Today I accidentally stumbled across a Deserted Medieval Village over near Londesborough. Grid reference SE 872 452

Here’s what happened.

It was a bit of a gloomy day, so we went for a walk, over in Londesborough. We didn’t want to go for a long trek, so i chose this route.

Short walk, marked on map in red

We walked it anticlockwise – starting in Londesborough centre.

Spotted some interesting things on our way.

Deer Shelters – Built in the 1650s when deer was introduced to the park

Settlements at Londesborough have existed since medieval times.

Londesborough Hall owned and maintained the 200 hectare site for many years, until it was demolished in 1818. The land is now divided between a few farms, but the ponds and avenues are still privately maintained.

A view over the park into Londesborough

This is when things start getting interesting.

That field looks a bit strange. What are those parallel lines?

Well, these lines are believed to be part of a medieval farming method called strip farming. It is where farmers alternate their crops on a field on a slope. It’s a method which reduces soil erosion. Here on this picture you can see where the different crop strips would have been.

Anyway we continue on the path and just as we get over the ford, we notice that the ground feels really spongy and bumpy. Here is a picture of the area.

Here it is. If you look closely you can make out ridges and furrows, disturbed land. You can see a right angle right at the middle of the picture. The ground also feels very spongy under the feet.

So at this point, I immediately realise I have stumbled across some antique earth works. Deserted medieval village? Certainly a possibility.

Here it is from another angle

Then around the corner, hey presto, a notice board telling us all about it.

Here it is, in black and white, stuck on a board

So here we have the Deserted Medieval Village of Easthorpe. Surprisingly it is not on the ordnance survey maps, and I never even knew it existed. Demolished in between 1720 and 1740 to make more space for the deer park.

There isn’t much more information about this DMV to hand. However, if I have any more details I will be sure to keep you posted. Be sure to check out my other medieval villages right here.

Anyway,

Many thanks,

Irlsey