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HER Number:MDV6084
Name:Remains of two longhouses at Bellever, Dartmoor Forest

Summary

One building described by Worth in the 1930s as 'Old Bellever' lay to the north of the road and is depicted on historic maps. No trace now remains above ground. Remains of a former longhouse exist to the south of the remaining farm buildings at Bellever.

Location

Grid Reference:SX 653 773
Map Sheet:SX67NE
Admin AreaDartmoor National Park
Civil ParishDartmoor Forest
DistrictWest Devon
Ecclesiastical ParishLYDFORD

Protected Status

  • SHINE: Traditional 19th century or earlier farm buildings and the remains of at least one medieval longhouse at Bellever Farm

Other References/Statuses

  • National Monuments Record: SX67NE33
  • National Record of the Historic Environment: 442481
  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SX67NE/73
  • Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX67NE33

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • LONGHOUSE (Built, Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1539 AD (Between))

Full description

Worth, R. H., 1934 - 1938, The Dartmoor House, 24-25, plan (Article in Serial). SDV162908.

At old Bellever the shippen shows an early conversion to a parlour with a room built over. Wall to central passage has a very thick wall to accommodate a hearth and oven. Stairs built in to wall.

Royal Air Force, 1961, RAF/58/4424, F41/121 (Aerial Photograph). SDV288116.

Linehan, C. D., 1965, Deserted Sites on Dartmoor, Devon, 173 (Article in Serial). SDV217992.

Linehan, C. D., 1966, Deserted Sites and Rabbit-Warrens on Dartmoor, Devon, 124-5, fig.2 (Article in Serial). SDV307246.

A deserted Medieval site at SX 653774 consisting of three buildings with extant enclosures.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

Not recorded.

Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England, 1987-1993, Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit (Report - Survey). SDV350839.

(26/11/1993) At SX 65337734 and SX 65317729 are the sites of two former longhouse. The former is that described by Worth (1953, 411) as 'Old Belliver'. It is depicted on the OS 1st edition 25" map (1866) but has since been completely destroyed and leaves no ground evidence. The site is now lies in a pasture field 50m west of the current farmhouse.
At SX 65317729, cut into a sharp slope, is the western gable of a further longhouse. It measures approximately 7.5m long and about 6.0m high. A single, small stone lined window is situated slightly north of centre near the former roofline. The side and east end wall have been totally demolished and part of the site is now occupied by a large wooden shed. A gateway giving access from the farmyard to an adjacent field may preserve the site of the original cross passage. The length of the former structure was probably in the region of 20m. This building is also depicted in 1886 (OS 1886).

Sources / Further Reading

SDV162908Article in Serial: Worth, R. H.. 1934 - 1938. The Dartmoor House. Transactions of the Torquay Natural History Society. 7. Unknown. 24-25, plan.
SDV217992Article in Serial: Linehan, C. D.. 1965. Deserted Sites on Dartmoor, Devon. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 97. A5 Hardback. 173.
SDV288116Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1961. RAF/58/4424. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Unknown. F41/121.
SDV307246Article in Serial: Linehan, C. D.. 1966. Deserted Sites and Rabbit-Warrens on Dartmoor, Devon. Medieval Archaeology. 10. Digital. 124-5, fig.2.
SDV319854Cartographic: Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. 1985. Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP. Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England Aerial Photograph P. Cartographic.
SDV350839Report - Survey: Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England. 1987-1993. Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit. Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England Archaeological Survey. Unknown.

Associated Monuments

MDV16520Related to: Bellever Farmstead, Dartmoor Forest (Monument)
MDV135332Related to: Small ruined building north of 'Bellever', Dartmoor Forest (Building)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV7431 - Woodland Survey (1989-90) at Bellever, Soussons and other woodland parcels
  • EDV8409 - Dartmoor Royal Forest Project
  • EDV8423 - Duchy Farms Project

Date Last Edited:Sep 7 2024 3:57PM