Monument record MDO1242 - Deserted medieval village, Holnest

Holnest. A tithing, chapelry, manor and hamlet which formerly belonged to the Bishopric of Sarum but passed to the family of Fitzjames of Leweston. In 1738 the manor, including the common, consisted of 73 tenements. By 1861 there were only 29 houses. <1>

Centred at ST 65600999. Very low scarps, banks, small platforms and enclosures are visible on both sides of the modern north-south road. The area is under grass, and drainage attempts have defaced the earthworks so that they are not sufficiently defined to give the village shape or form. Traces of depopulation are mostly visible to the north of the church which was enlarged in the 15th century, suggesting a larger population. It is clear that the depopulation took place in the late 18th and 19th centuries. <2>

<1> Hutchins, J, 1873, The history and antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 4. 3rd edition, 127-8 (Monograph). SDO10245.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, 23-SEP-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2.1> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 1195-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17408.

<3> Beresford, M, and Hurst, J G, 1971, Deserted Medieval Villages (Monograph). SWX1568.

Holnest, ST 656098, deserted Medieval village.

<4> Phillips, A S, Various, Field Investigators Comments ASP, F2 ASP 27-OCT-77 (Unpublished document). SWX3817.

No change to field report of 23/9/55.

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1994, Medieval Village Research Group Index, PRN 508 (Index). SDO16386.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 198750 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 23 2021 10:17AM