A Reappraisal of Foxcotte Area G

Proc. Hampsh. Field Club Archatol. Soc. 45, 1989, 121-127

A REAPPRAISAL OF FOXCOTTE AREA G

By R WARMINGTON

ABSTRACT Western Building, was set on the undisturbed natural hillslope behind the Southern Building The excavation report on the deserted medieval village of immediately west of the Northern Building. Foxcotte (Russet 1985) included a house site known as Area G. This area had been almost wholly excavated by voluntary labour, provided mainly by the Andover Archaeological THE SOUTHERN BUILDING (Fig 1) Society, working under the supervision and direction of the Test Valley Archaeological Committee's Field Director. Plans prepared by the author at that time for the purposes of The footings of the Southern Building were independent research are published here for the first time, generally well-preserved, and took the form of together with further discussion of the buildings. The southern low, unmortared flint sleeper walls defining a building in particular is reinterpreted as a 14th-15th century structure having an internal length of 12.8m cruck building, part of a modest complex that included a and a breadth of 4.5m. The whole structure detached kitchen. was overlain by a thin spread of broken tile which sealed a thin depth of brown soil within the footings. Excepting slight traces of INTRODUCTION charcoal and a few fragments of carbonised timber, there seemed little significant evidence Area G of the Foxcotte deserted medieval of destruction by fire. There was, however, a village related to a medium-sized house plat deep accumulation of burnt debris piled up form cut into the natural hillslope at the south against the external face of the south wall, this end of the settlement area, which on exca material including large quantities of burnt vation revealed evidence of three separate daub, ash and charcoal, and containing vari buildings lying immediately below topsoil ous potsherds and iron objects, including level (Russel 1985, 177-86). Although their several pairs of hinges. Whilst this debris shallow depth made it impossible to establish would support suggestions of destruction or any stratigraphical relationship between the severe damage by fire at some period, the structures, their close proximity on the same absence of any debris within the building or platform must confirm a common association. against other external wall faces, could indi Originally, the platform seems to have been cate a deliberate cleaning-out of the structure only a modest rectangular terrace, probably in anticipation of reconstruction. The adequate to accommodate a single structure resiliance of cruck blades to fire destruction set centrally along its length. Excavation can be demonstrated by a recent instance at disclosed the footings of a fairly substantial Overton of blades surviving serious fire building, referred to as the Southern Building, damage and being reused in subsequent set along the outer (downslope) flank of the reconstruction. A 13th/14th century deposit terrace, whose lip was actually revetted by the spreading under the sleeper walls would sug south wall of the structure. At some period, gest a 14th-century dating for the structure the eastern end of the terrace had been cut which, on the basis of pottery evidence, seems back into the hillslope to provide space for a to have survived until the later 15th century. secondary structure referred to as the Interpretation of the structure invites Northern Building. A third structure, the discussion, particularly in view of earlier 122 HAMPSHIRE PIELD CLUB AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

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Fig 1. Foxcottc, Area G: the Southern Building. comments regarding the possible framing argue against their function as primary struc design. The flint f feeper walls would have tural elements in an interrupted cill. There is supported the cill plates of a fully-framed an absence of any conclusive evidence for the building which evidently had daubed infill use of interrupted cill construction in this panels. There was no evidence of any pads or region during the later medieval period. An postholes that might be related to any structu alternative explanation may be that the small ral posts immediately within the curtilage. Of posts represent simple reinforcement stakes particular interest were a series of irregularly- provided as a precaution against collapse of spaced slots, apparently to accommodate the flint sleeper wall, particularly along the small posts, along the external faces of the south flank where it was of greater height and flank walls. These have been suggested as also acted as a retaining structure. The writer evidence of an arrangement of structural posts has observed the use of reinforcement stakes and interrupted cills. The irregular spacing of to flint sleeper walls in a number of local the posts, their small size, and their setting on buildings; the practice evidently persisting the face rather than within the walls, would into the 17th century. The frequency of later WARMINGTON: A REAPPRAISAL OF FOXCOTTE AREA G 1 23 renewal or underpinning of sleeper walls hall within an otherwise wholly box-framed makes it impossible to ascertain how common structure. Such combinations seem to gen place or well-established this practice was erally originate from the mid-15th century. during the later medieval period. Reconside The surviving plan of the building suggests ration of the suggested interrupted cill it to have originally been a fairly typical arrangement broadens the scope of possible arrangement of three equal sized bays, those superstructure framing design, and the earlier in the centre and east end forming an open suggestion that the framing cannot have been hall with a hearth set towards the western end of a cruck type throughout seems open to and possibly backing onto a cross passage reappraisal. zone, an arrangement paralleled at 'Lords and The evidence of surviving later medieval Ladies', Dogmersfield (Mercer 1975, 163). A rural dwellings in the region provides strong framed smoke-hood is unlikely, but cannot be indication that the cruck form of construction wholly discounted. The western end bay would was perhaps the prevalent form adopted for have formed a service room, possibly with loft construction of better quality rural peasant above. The absence of any evidence of a separ dwellings, of which this structure would seem ating crosswall between hall and service room to be a further example. The fairly generous could indicate an open-plan ground floor, span appears compatible with a cruck form, which arrangement can be cited in surviving and normal practice in the region was for the structures of the period. There was, however, cruck blades to be supported on a continuous slight evidence of a possible later crosswall cill plate, which also supported the framing of division inserted just within the western bay. the outer walls. Although only of secondary In the south-west angle of the service room structural importance, regional practice seems was a flint-built kiln or charging hole for an to have been for fairly robustly framed outer oven which seemed to be a later insertion. The walls. In theory, the adoption of crucks would character of the flintwork was more crude than resolve the problem of any lateral thrusts that of the adjoining sleeper walls, and it was being directed onto the cills, but in practice, apparently constructed against the inner face particularly in the context of an open cruck of the gable wall, presumably to avoid disturb frame without the benefit of a low-set tiebeam ance of the end frame, but intruded through or with poorly-shaped blades, the likelihood of the south flank sleeper wall. The latter was slight spreading of the blades and consequent accordingly rebuilt at this point and without transmission of lateral thrusts to the cill plates any need to incorporate reinforcement posts. and sleeper walls cannot be overlooked. The cutting-away of part of the cill plate to Accordingly, the suggestion of stake rein accommodate the kiln could again point to a forcement of the sleeper walls would not seem primary structural reliance upon cruck frames incompatible with cruck framing. The earlier rather than continuous posts associated with report concedes the possibility of cruck- an interrupted cill. framed gable ends, although this is based Evidence of later remodelling survived at upon the interpretation of post sockets at the the eastern end of the structure, in the guise of wall angles as being cruck blade anchorages. a rather crude flint sleeper wall inserted As mentioned above, regional practice was for between the central and eastern bay, presu the cruck blades to be set onto the cill plate mably to support a new crosswall dividing the rather than onto independent bases. Struc Hall into its separate bays. In consequence, tures featuring a combination of cruck- and the original hearth, marooned uncomfortably box-framed construction can be cited in the close to the new crosswall, required remodell region, particularly good examples being ing to suit. The new eastern end room was known to the writer in Romsey and Wok provided with a raised floor of poor, sandy ingham, but in such instances the cruck mortar, embedded in which was a silver coin of frames are located internally to span an open 1450-53 (Russel 1985, 179, where it is 124 HAMPSHIRE FIELD CLUB AXD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY erroneously described as being a topsoil find). as being of irregular trapezoid plan, it was in In common with the rest of the interior, the fact a regular rectangular plan measuring 7.5m room was fairly clear of debris, but lying internal length and 4.5m internal breadth. It towards the eastern end were the sherds of a was set parallel to the southern building, with fine pitcher (Russel 1985, Fig 11, No 57). The the east gables of both buildings in an exact formation of an additional end chamber by the alignment. This, added to the fact that both reduction of the Hall is not uncommon, and structures were of identical span, suggests a examples can be cited in a number of surviving common build and association. The earlier cruck dwellings in the region, one example interpretation of the building as being a being Lime Tree Cottage, Crondall (Mercer detached kitchen seems reasonable, particu 1975, 163). larly on account of the large oven set against Along the north side of the building, the the east gable. There is considerable docu yard surface seems to have been to some mentary and archaeological evidence for the extent protected by an eaves overhang of up to widespread practice of provision of detached 45cm. Although thatch was undoubtedly the kitchens in rural establishments of manorial more common roofing material in the rural status, but how far this practice descended the situation, there is evidence to suggest that this social scale is less certain. In this instance, building may have had a tiled roof in its final there seems to be clear evidence of a good phase, which would be a further indication of a quality peasant dwelling complete with better quality dwelling. The tile debris was detached kitchen, both structures being appar spread evenly over the whole length of the ently of one build. building, and the earlier suggestion that it The proportions of the structure indicate a originated from some sort of hearth super two-bay form, most likely cruck-framed to structure or flue seems difficult to substan match the southern building. It has been sug tiate. It seems reasonable to suppose that, gested that two post holes, identified one at following the collapse of a tiled roof, the each end of the north wall, fulfilled a primary serviceable tiles and ridges would be salvaged structural function associated with this for reuse, to leave only a spread of shattered building. Although their positioning at the tile debris. The fact that the tile spread was wall angles is unlikely to be coincidental, their confined to the immediate area of the building relatively small size and the fact that the obviously precludes it being part of any gen eastern end post hole was wholly overlain by eral later spread of debris from elsewhere. The the sleeper wall would argue against their recovery of numerous iron nails within the function as supporting main structural posts spread must further support suggestion of the associated with this building. They could con collapse of a tiled roof. ceivably belong to an earlier structure, and in this respect it may be significant that the eastern end post hole retained the stump of a THE NORTHERN BUILDING (Fig 2) burnt timber post, sealed by the unburnt sleeper wall above. It is also possible that the The northern building occupied the inner end post holes accommodated short timber piles to of the platform, here cut back into the hillside reinforce the angles of the sleeper walls which whose scarped faces enveloped the building on were particularly vulnerable to displacement all except the southern flank. Despite a greater consequent of the more acute end loadings of depth of topsoil covering, it was relatively the corner posts or cruck blades. In the poorly preserved, evidently on account of later absence of any angle padstones in the guise of disturbances. The structure was again repre sarsen stone, greensand or tabular flint, the sented by low flint sleeper walls, indicating a provision of timber piles would seem a plausi fully framed building borne on continuous cill ble substitute; an example of such an arrange plates. Although the earlier report described it ment being recently observed by the writer in a SVARMINGTON \ REAPPRAISAL <>! FOXCOTTE \kl.\ <. 125

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Fig 2. Foxcottc, Area G: the Northern Building. late 16th century cottage at Quarley. The the sleeper wall and considerable interruption earlier suggestion of an association of earth-fast of the cill plate; which alterations could have posts and cill plates seems unlikely. Although been accommodated without undue difficulty the practice of earth-fast posts perpetuated in in a cruck framed gable condition. The differing some areas until a much later date, the availa character of the oven flintwork, and the ble archaeological and surviving structural evi differing alignment of its internal face with that dence in this region suggests that the tradition of the gable sleeper wall, are obviously indi of earth-fast posts was being increasingly cators of its later addition. superceded by continuous cill-plate supporting As noted in the earlier report, the clearance structures after the 13th century. The insertion of the building revealed comparatively little of a large flint-built oven against the east gable destruction debris, and although a thin spread clearly necessitated extensive replacement of of tile fragments were recorded, this probably 126 HAMPSHIRE FIELD CI.UB AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY originated largely from the tile inner lining of structures, its shallow topsoil protection con the oven. In common with the southern tributing to the poorer state of preservation building, there was little evidence to support and the apparent loss of the southern end. Its the suggestion of final destruction by fire. The irregular alignment suggests that it was a later virtual absence of daub could point to a addition, the failure to prepare a properly wattled panel infill, and the more meagre tile levelled platform being perhaps indicative of spread would favour a thatched or shingled some urgency or haste. It was clearly of quite roof finish; all features suggestive of a second small size, but the inclusion of an internal ary status for the building. The floor retained hearth indicates that it was not necessarily of traces of a thin puddled chalk surface, heavily inferior construction. Again, the structure was damaged by the insertion of later pits. The evidently supported by cill plates laid over latter were also responsible for damage to the unmortared flint walls. Its exact function is sleeper walls, and extended across the yard conjectural. During clearance, a thin spread of towards the southern building. It may be signi tile fragments was found overlying the interior, ficant that the pit disturbance did not extend and whilst these might originate from a into the area of the southern building, which hearthback, the possibility of a tiled roof by inference could have remained in use after cannot be discounted. Again, there was a abandonment of the northern structure. noticeable absence of daub. The pits covering Potsherds recovered from the pits pointed to a the site of the northern building stopped short possible early 16th century date. It could even of this structure, suggesting that like the be suggested that the northern building was southern building it continued in use after the dismantled for the possible utilisation of its demise of the northern building. It would seem framing for the repair of its fire-damaged a plausible possibility that this represents a neighbour in the mid-15th century. replacement detached kitchen or service block, Traces of a small secondary structure were but why it should not have been sited on the located adjoining the northeast angle of the more convenient platform of the northern northern building, represented by a frag structure cannot be ascertained. mentary alignment of flint sleeper wall of very indifferent quality forming the internal angle of a structure extending 2m north of the parent EVIDENCE OF EARLIER STRUCTURES building, and 1.2m further eastwards. The configuration of the hillslope precluded its The interiors of both the northern and extension the whole length of the building. southern buildings were carefully examined Initially, a well-head or latrine was supposed, for evidence of earlier structures, and although as it appeared to overlie a pit feature. Exca some scatters of flint seemed apparent, no vation of the latter confirmed an irregular pit recognisable patterns or alignments were evi 1.5m depth, but devoid of finds of any sort or dent. The yard area between the two buildings evidence of latrine deposits. was more productive, and suggested a Clearance of the building produced various trampled chalk surface overlain by a thin grey potsherds and metal items lying above the occupation layer containing 13th and 14th floor level, including a complete pair of iron century potsherds which extended under the shears (Russel 1985, Fig 26.19) whose location flanks of both adjoining structures. This con was earlier unspecified. firms the earlier origin of the platform, but evidence of any actual earlier structure remains elusive. However, had any earlier THE WESTERN BUILDING structure depended upon support by cill beams laid directly onto the ground surface, The western building was set on sloping the structure could have been easily removed ground slightly above the level of the other two without leaving any archaeological trace what- WARMINGTON: A REAPPRAISAL OK FOXCOTl'K AREA G 127

soever. Numerous features observed beneath tion level in the centre of the yard represents the central section of the southern building the site of an earlier building. Had the latter were interpreted in the earlier report as being relied upon continuous cills for support as did stakeholes, but their very small size and its successors, then the absence of postholes is irregular spacing makes this doubtful. Despite simply explained. The positioning of the their convincing appearance, the features are southern building could therefore have been more likely products of natural solutioning of dictated by the presence of an earlier struc the chalk, representing a fairly common and ture, the latter being removed immediately deceptive phenomenon on many chalk sites. upon completion of the successor to allow The only obvious candidates for possible ear construction of the northern building. This lier origin would seem to be the two postholes practice can still be observed in the context of under the wall of the northern building refer surviving rural structures in the area, in red to above. The awkward siting of the certain cases the earlier building being southern building, set along the outer edge of retained for secondary use alongside its suc the platform rather than centrally, may have cessor. Good examples can be cited in the significance. It could be that the grey occupa nearby villages of Thruxton and Appleshaw.

REFERENCES

Mercer, E 1975 English Vernacular Houses, London. history of a Hampshire hamlet Proc Russel, A D 1985 Foxcotte: the archaeology and Hampsh Field Club Archaeol Soc 41 149-224.

Author: R Warmington, 68 Springdale Road, Broadstone, Dorset BH18 9BY.