Monument record MDO3864 - Deserted settlement of Langham, Gillingham

Settlement remains of the hamlet of Langham, first recorded in 1156 and one of several Gillinghams listed in the Domesday book. The earthworks comprise at least five rectangular closes.

771260. Settlement remains of the hamlet of Langham lie some 200 yds north of Higher Langham Farm on the west side of a small stream and cover about 10 acres. The settlement is recorded in 1156 (a) and is probably one of the several Gillinghams listed in Domesday; Eyton suggests that it was the estated held by Ulwin (b). Since Langham has always been recorded with Gillingham there are no records of population although the OS 1811 shows that the remains were deserted by them. The earth-works comprise at least five rectangular closes, up to 100 yds long and from 20 to 40 yds wide, bounded by low banks orientated north-south; low cross-banks divide them into paddocks. Disturbed areas at the southern ends of the closes indicate the sites of houses; the north parts of these closes are covered with low ridges up to 7yds wide.

On the north the area is bounded by a ditch or hollow-way 30ft wide, beyond which are traaces of larger paddocks with low bank boundaries. Further east on both sides of the stream are traces of banks and disturbed earthworks, now much depleted, which may be sites of former houses; these continue as far as Lower Langham Farm. <1>

An area of rectangular closes at ST 771260 is visible on air photographs. Some of the larger bank boundaries can also be seen. <2>

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 35 (Monograph). SDO99.

'MEDIAEVAL AND LATER EARTHWORKS
'King's Court Palace', see MOTCOMBE (20), p.51.
(96) SETTLEMENT REMAINS (771260) of the hamlet of Langham lie some 200 yds. N. of Higher Langham Farm, on the W. side of a small stream; they cover about 10 acres. The settlement is first recorded in 1156 (Fagersten, 7) and probably is one of the several Gillinghams listed in Domesday; Eyton (123-4) suggests that it was the estate held by Ulwin (V.C.H. Dorset, iii, 100). Since Langham has always been recorded with Gillingham there are no records of population; O.S. 1811 shows that the remains had already been deserted by that date. The earthworks comprise at least five rectangular closes, up to 100yds. Long and from 20 yds. To 40 yds. Wide, bounded by low banks and orientated N.-S.; low cross-banks divide them into paddocks. Disturbed areas at the southern ends of the closes indicate the sites of houses. The N. parts of the closes are covered with low ridges, up to 7 yds. Wide. On the N. the area is bounded by a ditch or hollow-way, 30 ft. wide, beyond which are traces of larger paddocks with low bank boundaries. Further E., on both sides of the stream, traces of banks and disturbed earthworks, now much depleted, may be the sites of former houses; they continue as far as Lower Langham Farm.'

<1.1> Fagersten, A, 1933, Place-names of Dorset, 7 (Monograph). SDO17521.

<1.2> Page, W (Ed), 1908, The Victoria History of the County of Dorset 3, 110 (Monograph). SWX3.

<2> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1924 2237-38 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17613.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 202337 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2022 12:01PM