Site record MDR2621 - Deserted village with ridge and furrow, Osleston Lane, Osleston
Type and Period (2)
- DESERTED SETTLEMENT (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
- RIDGE AND FURROW (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
Well defined earthworks representing desertion can be identified on aerial photographs taken in 1948. They are centred at SK 25003717 and have been surveyed at 1/2500. (1, 2)
Osleston is referred to as 'Oslavestune' in Domesday Book, meaning 'Oslaf's farm'. In 1086 it formed part of the lands of Henry de Ferrers. Twelve villagers and four smallholders are recorded at that time. (3, 4)
Deserted medieval village of Osleston, accepted between 1968 and 1972. (6)
Excavations in a field with visible earthworks immediately to the south of the suggested site of the medieval village were undertaken in 1998. Two trenches were excavated where one trench produced a small assemblage of medieval pottery. The other trench revealed two parallel gullies containing post-medieval sherds, which had been cut through what may have been earlier building foundations. No medieval settlement evidence was found. (9)
Reviewed (2026), earthworks still fully visible using both LiDAR and aerial photography and in good condition. Additionally, the area has well preserved Medieval ridge and furrow.
Sources/Archives (9)
- --- SDR24967 Digital data: Environment Agency. 2026. LiDAR Survey Data, 1m DTM.
- <1> SDR842 Aerial Photograph: Anon. 1948. Aerial photographs: 541/215/4107-8, taken 15th December, 1948.
- <2> SDR6400 Personal Observation: F1 JB 29-AUG-66.
- <3> SDR18516 Bibliographic reference: Wood, S (translator). 1978. Domesday Book: Derbyshire (Phillimore edition). text 6, 63.
- <4> SDR5962 Bibliographic reference: Cameron, K. 1959. The Place-Names of Derbyshire, Part III. English Place-Name Society, Vol. XXIX.. p593.
- <6> SDR8944 Article in serial: Dyer, C. 1973. Medieval Village Research Group Reports 20 and 21.
- <7> SDR8945 Article in serial: Farnsworth, D. 1985. Medieval Village Research Group Report 33.
- <8> SDR15600 Index: Trent & Peak Archaeological Trust (TPAT). Trent & Peak Archaeological Trust Index: 2378. 2378.
- <9> SDR21258 Article in serial: Guilbert, G (TPAU). 2001. 'Some Fieldwork in Derbyshire by Trent & Peak Archaeological Unit in 1998-99', Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. Volume 121.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 2492 3724 (364m by 534m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | OSLESTON AND THURVASTON, SOUTH DERBYSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- EDR4057
- EDR1473
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Aug 18 2026 2:52PM