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HER Number:MDV18631
Name:Lower Firebeacon Farm, Hartland

Summary

Firebeacon was formerly a hamlet with documentary evidence dating back to the 14th century. It had all but disappeared by the second half of the 18th century. Now two farmsteads, Lower Firebeacon and East Firebeacon. As the name implies there was a firebeacon here in the medieval period but the site of the beacon is unknown.

Location

Grid Reference:SS 245 202
Map Sheet:SS22SW
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishHartland
DistrictTorridge
Ecclesiastical ParishHARTLAND

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SS22SW/11
  • Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SS22SW11

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • BEACON (First mentioned, XIV - 1301 AD to 1400 AD)
  • SETTLEMENT (First mentioned, XIV - 1301 AD to 1301 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Farmstead named as Firebeacon. To the north-east is East Firebeacon.

Gover, J. E. B. + Mawer, A. + Stenton, F. M., 1931, The Place-Names of Devon: Part One, 78 (Monograph). SDV1312.

Firebeacon is recorded as Fyrbykene in 1400 and as Ester Fyerbycken and Sowth Fyerbyckon in 1566. The name is self-explanatory; the site is on a prominent hill.

Hoskins, W. G., 1940 - 1941, The occupation of land in Devon 1650-1800., 11 (Article in Serial). SDV337828.

Firebeacon. This was formerly a hamlet, all but disappeared by the second half of the 18th century.

Russell, P., 1955, Fire Beacons in Devon, 256, 257, 277 (Article in Serial). SDV336138.

The name 'Fyrbekene' is recorded in in connection with the Chapel of St Mary belonging to Hartland Abbey. Located in the east of the parish.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1978, SS22SW11 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV7465.

The name 'Fyrbyken' is recorded in 1400 and 'Ester Fyerbycken' and 'South Fyerbyckon' in 1566. The name is also recorded on the 1842 Tithe Map. A chapel is recorded at Firebeaon in 1400, attached to Hartland Abbey.
Site visit 6th December 1978. No beacon mound or chapel remains could be found in the area.

Griffith, F. M., 1990, DAP/TB, 14 (Aerial Photograph). SDV5524.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 46, 246 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

' Firebeacon' was formerly a hamlet, all but disappeared by the second half of the 18th century. There were 11 tenants at Firebeacon in 1301, only 5 about 1365, and 1 at 'Ester Fyerbyckon' and 1 at 'sowth fyerbycken' in 1566.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Now known as Lower Firebeacon.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV1312Monograph: Gover, J. E. B. + Mawer, A. + Stenton, F. M.. 1931. The Place-Names of Devon: Part One. The Place-Names of Devon: Part One. VIII. A5 Hardback. 78.
SDV336138Article in Serial: Russell, P.. 1955. Fire Beacons in Devon. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 87. A5 Paperback. 256, 257, 277.
SDV336179Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #143330 ]
SDV337828Article in Serial: Hoskins, W. G.. 1940 - 1941. The occupation of land in Devon 1650-1800.. Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. 21. Unknown. 11.
SDV339712Report - Assessment: Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J.. 2007. The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report. Exeter Archaeology Report. 06.22 (rev.1). A4 Stapled + Digital. No. 46, 246.
SDV365834Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2024. Mastermap 2024. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital.
SDV5524Aerial Photograph: Griffith, F. M.. 1990. DAP/TB. Devon Aerial Photograph. 14.
SDV7465Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1978. SS22SW11. OSAD Card. Card Index + Digital.

Associated Monuments

MDV88Related to: Chapel at Firebeacon, Hartland (Monument)
MDV62817Related to: East Firebeacon Farm, Hartland (Monument)
MDV89Related to: The Beacon Moor, Hartland (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded


Date Last Edited:Sep 25 2024 3:24PM