Field Archaeology

Some clues to former uses / buildings may be gleaned from the field names from the Tithe map of 1842 ; The land behind the Hall (Rose Hall) is called Brick ground (the current pond may originally have been a brick pit), a Brick kiln close is noted just south of Oldbarn farm, a Claypit close and Marlpit close are noted in the east of the Parish, a Sawpit close is noted just north of the Hall, a pit is noted near Brumstead Grange and a Sandhole piece is noted in the west of the Parish.

Faden’s map of 1797 indicates that all the land south of the lower Common Road up to the B1159 was all marsh or waste land. The enclosure document of 1805 states that 15 acres, 1 rod and 14 perches accounted for 1/18 of the total area of waste, marshes, commons in Brumstead. This equals approximately 275.9 acres and can only be accounted for if Bryant’s map of 1825 is roughly accurate. However, there is a chance that the figures quoted by the Lord of the manor in 1805 may be due to ‘creative accounting’ in his favour.

Over the years there has been much debate over the spelling of the name of this Parish (Brumstead or Brunstead), even the Domesday book spells it both ways. Given the evidence of Brumstead once being mainly heathland (the possible Ring ditch and it being a Beruite in Anglo-Saxon times) the spelling of Brumstead (alluding to the plant - Broom) appears to be the more logically correct spelling. I have also noted that there are still a few wild Broom plants in the Parish.

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