So this week we completed the sites listed in 1968 that were classed as Deserted Medieval Villages. The final four were:

• Washingley
• Weald
• Wintringham
• Woolley

Washingley – an area of earthworks is clearly visible with deep hollow ways running through the site.

Weald is probably a late desertion – when the main road that once ran through the village was diverted in the 18th-19th century. However this also came on the back of the chapel having last been recorded in 1570 suggesting the settlement may have already been struggling.

Wintringham, located just to the west of Weald – the moated site was excavated in the 1970s as much of the area of earthworks was being ploughed. The southern area of settlement appears to have been abandoned in the late 14th century, and the focus moved north. Three house plots excavated near the southern moated site show short-lived occupation.

Overall Huntingdonshire has a number of really interesting sites. 18 were listed in 1968, and of these, 8 are scheduled ancient monuments. We now move onto the Isle of Wight………