MSO8679 - Slade Farmstead, southwest of Hawkridge (Monument)

The deserted medieval farmstead of Slade, at SS857302, was indicated in the 1327 Lay Subsidy by the entry of Nicholas atte Slade? [1] The 1841 Tithe Map indicates an estate of 36 acres, and the site of a building is shown at Slade. [2] The farmstead of Slade is shown and named, at SS 85703010, on the 1809 Ordnance Survey map. [3] The remains of a deserted farmstead lie on the south facing slope between Dane's Brook and Slade Lane, centred at SS 85643012, above Slade Bridge. The site presently consists of an area of earthworks and stone banks upslope of a leat leading to a spring towards the centre of the field. The field has other more slight earthworks resulting from the removal of hedge banks. The site of the building at Slade is shown on the Tithe Map of 1841 [2]. The remains in the field are quite amorphous with a platformed area 31.4 metres by 10.4 metres, cut up to 2 metres deep into the slope at the eastern end. The length of the platform is divided roughly into four areas by rows of raised ground, which appear to correspond to walls. At the eastern end there is an easing which leads directly down towards the spring. The medieval site of Slade Farm [4] appears to have been inhabited, if perhaps not continuously, until some time between 1841 [2] and 1887 [5], by which time it is no longer shown. It is suggested that it was deserted later rather than earlier during this time span [6]. [7] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [8]