Chesterton Green Shrunken Medieval Settlement (Wygunhulende)

Description of this historic site

An area of earthworks relating to the Medieval shrunken village at Chesterton Green. They include some possible houses and crofts among a maze of post-depopulation paddocks and pens. Documentary evidence suggests it might be a village called Wygunhulende.

Notes about this historic site

1 Part of an extensive earthwork complex including some crofts and houses among a maze of post-depopulation paddocks and pens. Documentary references suggest a hamlet called ‘Wygunhulend’ in 1352 and 1424 and the field called Wignell Ground on the 1849 map contains an extension of the planned layout of properties at Lodge Farm (PRN 789).
2 Plan.
3 Most of the earthworks on the green do not represent house sites. May be a couple of house sites on higher slopes; 1849 Tithe Map shows a single building by the big trees, and stone foundations were noted here in 1965.
4 Various air photos.
5 A limestone rubble wall consistent with buildings in the Medieval or early Post Medieval period was recorded. However, no actual dating evidnce was discovered.

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