Ratley Medieval Settlement

1 The possible extent of the Medieval settlement, based on the first edition 6″ map of 1886, 52SW.
2 Domesday lists Ratley in Hunsbury Hundred. The Phillimore edition gives a grid reference of 38,47.
Ref 17,57 (Land of Hugh of Grandmesnil) Aelmer holds 5 hides in Ratley. Land for 7 ploughs. In lordhip 2; 6 slaves; 18 villagers and 7 smallholders with 7 ploughs. Meadow ,24 acres. The value was £3; later £4; now 100s. Ordric held it freely before 1066.
3 The 1886 map shows a small, compact village, quite densely built, with little lanes off the main street to the north. These lanes look regular and are at right angles to the street. There doesn’t seem to be a boundary hedge. There is as yet no ridge and furrow plotting of the parish, but the database shows some survival on the southeast side of the village. Domesday indicates a modest settlement, and the church [WA688] dates from the C13th-14th. The 1886 map shows the Manor House clearly, which dates from the medieval period, and it shows the earthworks of the motte and bailey castle [SAM 21622], but gives them no title.