Monument record MDO7298 - Medieval settlement earthworks associated with West and East Bradle, Church Knowle

Extensive earthworks associated with the medieval settlements of West and East Bradle are visible on aerial photographs to the east of Bradle Farm.

There are references to Bradle in Domesday and throughout the Medieval period, and a chapel is mentioned in 1326. There was apparently two separate settlements of West and East Bradle, and the 1843 tithe map shows an adjoining 'East Bradle Farm'. Remains occur over 4 acres immediately north-east of Bradle Farm at SY 931807, and less regular remains over about 3 acres at SY 932806. Six rectangular contiguous platforms of 1/7 to 1/5 acre are paired by six closes from 240 feet to 300 feet long, probably representing the remains of 'tofts and crofts' Spreads of flaggy limestone were visible around the platforms which were covered with dark earth after ploughing. The closes are divided by low banks, some ditched and others scarped up to 3 feet on one side. The boundary dividing the field in which these remains lie from that to the east apparently overlies a scarped enclosure. Beyond it a hollow-way 12 feet wide across the bottom runs north-south below a scarp 4 feet high. <1> Remains of closes and enclosure visible on air photograph, centred SY 931806. The 19th century Bradle Farmhouse lies at SY 92968059; its farm buildings, one dwelling and the site of a second, line the farm road whch extends eastwards. The rectilinear pattern of enclosures (centred SY 93108055), clearly visible on RAF APs, can still be traced on the ground although the field is regularly ploughed and cultivated. The roughly parallel earthen banks are now approximately 7.0m wide and up to 0.5m high. The associated rectangular platforms presumably lay against the farm buildings and adjacent hard-standings. The curviliner features centred SY 93218046 can be traced in crop on the ground but they are rather spread and difficult to interpret. The features are of minor importance to OS mapping: no AM action taken. East Bradle Farm stood at the foot of the steep north-facing slope at SY 93348052, however, all that now remains are the level, stony stances of the house, yard and out-buildings lying in dense woodland. <3> Extensive earthworks associated with the medieval settlements of West and East Bradle are visible on aerial photographs to the east of Bradle Farm <6-7>. They include rectilinear crofts with associated tofts and a probably hollow way. The features were digitally plotted during the Wild Purbeck Mapping Project.

Record last edited

Oct 23 2023 1:06PM