Medieval Carlton 1066-1539

This page was contributed by Pamela Hider

The page on Carlton Manors, specifically, Carlton Manor alias de Pabenham, recorded an area of woodland which was enclosed in 1312 to form a deer park. This park would have to have been supervised by a deer park keeper. It is thought that the moated site  (HER992) was probably built for the keeper. The park is recorded in use up to 1420, and referred to by name in 1495, though by this date it had probably been turned into agricultural land. The location of the park today is thought to extend from Carlton Hall Wood to Great Oaks Wood on the border with Pavenham and Turvey.

[Reference: Victoria County History, Bedfordshire, Vol 3, pp 49-50, 1908]

Findings of artefacts

• The remains of a churchyard cross are recorded at Carlton in St.Mary's Churchyard,  consisting of a very worn stone base.
• A medieval lead vesica seal was found near Harrold Bridge west of Carlton Rd. (now in The Higgins Museum, see image below).
• A sherd of medieval pottery was found east of School Lane near to Emmaus village.
• An Edward I penny (1272-1307) from the York mint was found at High Elms close to Emmaus village.

Vesica Seal on display. Courtesy of The Higgins Museum, Bedford