The earliest reference to Monkwearmouth village is from 1075 when the vill of Wearmouth was granted to Aldwin at Wearmouth. It remained a possession of the priory of Durham until the Dissolution. In 1345 18 tenants held 17 tofts and 1 cottage there; by 1539 there were only 4 named tenants. Its subsequent relationship with the township of Monkwearmouth Shore is not clear, and it is puzzling that the village was not physically related to the church of St. Peter's and its immediate surroundings. Historic maps suggest it consisted of two long east-west streets above the Wear. The north one in the mid-19th century was John Street and Broad Street, now subsumed into Roker Avenue, the south one was Thomas Street and the Causeway. Their west ends lie on the major junction on the Newcastle Road. The east end of the village is Church Street. There is a huge space between them which could perhaps be interpreted as a green. However, the area is now very much rebuilt, making the interpretation of its medieval extent and layout extremely problematic.
SITEASS
Location should be confirmed; and there's plenty of documentary research to do. The archaeology probably does not survive all the rebuilding.
Site Type: Broad
Settlement
SITEDESC
Earliest reference 1075 when the vill of Wearmouth was granted to Aldwin at Wearmouth. It remained a possession of the priory of Durham until the Dissolution. In 1345 18 tenants held 17 tofts and 1 cottage there; by 1539 there were only 4 named tenants. Amalgamation of holdings or shrinkage? Its subsequent relationship with the township of Monkwearmouth Shore is not clear, and it seems odd that the village was not physically related to the church of St. Peter's and its immediate surroundings. Surtees noted it consisted of 2 long E-W streets "along the heights above the Wear". The N one in mid 19th century was John St and Broad St, now subsumed into Roker Avenue, the S one Thomas St and the Causeway. Their W ends lie on the major junction on the Newcastle Rd, the E end of the village is Church St. There is a huge space between them - a green? or a major misinterpretation? Very much rebuilt. An evaluation by ARS Ltd. To the north of Lower Dundas Street in 2011 revealed disturbed ground and no archaeological features. Whellan (1856) states that the township of Monkwearmouth had a population of 1103 in 1801; 1091 in 1811; 1278 in 1821; 1498 in 1831, 2155 in 1841 and 3366 in 1851. The Dean and Chapter of Durham were the principal landowners and lord of the manor. Dated C11th.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth village
Site Type: Specific
Village
HER Number
51
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 51 >> DUL Archives & Special Collections Durham Dean and Chapter MSS, med. Bursar's accounts
DUL Archives & Special Collections Durham Dean and Chapter MSS, med. Bursar's rental
W. Greenwell, ed. 1871, Feodarium Prioratus Dunelmensis, Surtees Society, 58, pp. lxxxiii, 17, 82, 94, 120, 311
W.H.D. Longstaffe & J. Booth, eds. 1889, Durham Halmote Rolls, Surtees Society, I 82, passim,
C.M. Fraser, 1955, Gilly-Corn and the Customary of the Convent of Durham, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XXXIII, pp. 35-60
W. Hutchinson, 1787, History of...Durham, Vol. II, pp. 629-36
R. Surtees, 1820, History of...Durham, Vol. II, pp. 1, 7
DUL Archives & Special Collections Church Commissioners, 1779, Monkwearmouth, Southwick and Fulwell, C.C. 13654
DUL Archives & Special Collections Church Commissioners, 1812, Monkwearmouth, map and survey book, C.C. 13656, 13657
Wm. Lewin, 1714, Survey of the Manor of Monkwearmouth - Sunderland Museum
Rev. J. Raine, ed. 1854, The Inventories and Account Rolls of Jarrow and Monkwearmouth, Surtees Society, 29, pp. 195-6, 198,
Burleigh and Thompson, 1737, Plan of the mouth of the River Wear -Sunderland Museum
Sunderland Museum, 1826, Sunderland, Bishopwearmouth and Monkwearmouth
DUL Archives & Special Collections Ordnance Survey maps, 1st ed., 1:2500, viii.10
DUL Archives & Special Collections, Tithe maps, 1840, Monkwearmouth; ARS Ltd. 2011, Land to the north of Lower Dundas Street, Sunderland - Archaeological Evaluation; Whellan, W, 1856, History, Topography and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham
SURVIVAL
1-19%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
2014
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
49
DAY1
01
DAY2
24
District
Sunderland
Easting
440100
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Flint
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 45 NW 28
Northing
557800
General Period
PREHISTORIC
Specific Period
Mesolithic -10,000 to -4,000
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
A Maglemosian tranchet axe was found by W. Dodds in Church Street, c.100 - 200 yards north of St. Peter's Church, in sand 2-3 feet deep below cobbles, during a council landscaping project. It is possible that that the sand may have been dumped ballast. The present location of the axe is unknown.
SITEASS
As for no. 49, the Bowes Museum has the Wilf Dodds collection but this does not appear to contain any flint material from Monkwearmouth.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
A Maglemosian tranchet axe was found by W. Dodds in Church Street, c. 100 - 200 yards N of St. Peter's Church, in sand 2 - 3 feet deep below cobbles, during a council landscaping project. Though Harding declares the axe came from the "basal levels of the site", Miket suggests, reasonably enough, that the sand may have been dumped ballast. The axe was still in Dodds' possession when Young was writing, and he was not able to see it. It does not appear to be with the Dodds' material in the Bowes Museum so where is it now? The grid refs in both Wymer and Young are wrong.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Mesolithic tranchet axe
Site Type: Specific
Tranchet Axehead
HER Number
50
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 50 >> D.W.Harding, 1970, County Durham in the Prehistoric Period 2, Transactions Architectectural & Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland, II, p. 27
J. Wymer, ed. 1977, Gazetteer of Mesolithic Sites in England and Wales, CBA Research Report, No. 20, p. 86
R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, p. 91 no. 4
R.Young, 1987, Lithics and Subsistence in North-Eastern England, British Archaeological Report, British Series, Vol. 161, p. 163, F38
M. Johnson, 1990, Wilfred Dodds : His Weapons and Archaeological Material Council British Archaeology 3, Newsbulletin, 3, Vol. 13 (March), pp. 9-10
Pers. Comm. John Pickin, Antiquities Officer, 1991, Mesolithic Flints from Monkwearmouth
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
50
DAY1
01
DAY2
24
District
Sunderland
Easting
440200
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45NW
MATERIAL
Flint
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 45 NW 28
Northing
557700
General Period
PREHISTORIC
Specific Period
Mesolithic -10,000 to -4,000
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
Flints have been found on at least two separate occasions south of St. Peter's Church, first during archaeological excavations by R. Cramp in or immediately following 1961, subsequently by W. Dodds during council landscaping in 1964. There is some confusion over the size, character and present location of these assemblages: the first group is probably with Tyne & Wear Museum Services, the second at Sunderland Museum. Both assemblages probably number several hundred individual items.
SITEASS
The Cramp collection has yet to be assessed. Though the Dodds collection of archaeological material was deposited by his executor in the Bowes Museum, there is no record there of flints from Monkwearmouth. Both groups may be from the ballast sand on this site.
Site Type: Broad
Artefact Scatter
SITEDESC
It seems fairly certain that flints have been found on at least two separate occasions south of St. Peter's Church. 1. During archaeological excavations by R. Cramp in 1961 and ?later. This group has recently arrived at TWCMS and is awaiting cataloguing. 2. By W. Dodds, during council landscaping, in 1964. But, as Young so rightly puts it, "some confusion surrounds the material from this location". Wymer reported that Group 2 consisted of 26 cores, 379 blades/flakes and 3 scrapers: Miket repeated this, giving a Sunderland Museum accession no. Young, however, could not trace this material at the Museum, and saw only some notes about 2 bags of flint (158 pieces), which may or may not be the Dodds collection. Grid refs. by Wymer and Young are way out.
Site Name
Monkwearmouth, Mesolithic flints
Site Type: Specific
Flint Scatter
HER Number
49
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 49 >> J. Wymer, ed. 1977, Gazetteer of Mesolithic Sites in England and Wales, Council British Archaeology, Research Report, No. 20, p. 86
R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, p. 91, no. 4
R. Young, 1987, Lithics and Subsistence in North-Eastern England, British Archaeological Report, British Series, Vol. 161, pp. 163-4 F38
M. Johnson, 1990, Wilfred Dodds : His Weapons and Archaeological Material Council British Archaeology 3, Newsbulletin, 3, Vol. 13 (March), pp. 9-10
Pers. Comm. .John Pickin, Antiquities Officer, Bowes Museum, 1991, Mesolithic Flints from Monkwearmouth
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Claire MacRae
Crossref
47
DAY1
23
DAY2
20
District
Sunderland
Easting
439600
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
559600
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Fulwell
Description
The earliest documentary reference appears to be 1204, the date of John's confirmation of the possessions of Durham. The vill appears in a rental document of 1345-6 when it contained 7 tofts and 2 cottages; through other documents it is known that in 1347-8 it owed tithes to Wearmouth, in 1369 the tenants were ordered to use Southwick mill, and in 1539-5 and 1580 there is mention of the great barn. Historic maps suggest the village had once taken the form of two rows with a green, but had perhaps shrunk by the late 18th century. It lay on both sides of what is now called Station Road connecting the present Sunderland-Cleadon road on the west with Fulwell Lane (Road) and Dene Lane on the east.
SITEASS
The road pattern survives and that is just about all.
Site Type: Broad
Settlement
SITEDESC
The earliest documentary reference appears to be 1204, the date of John's confirmation of the possessions of Durham. The vill appears in a rental of 1345-6 when it contained 7 tofts and 2 cottages, in 1347-8 owing tithes to Wearmouth, in 1369 when the tenants were ordered to use Southwick mill, in 1539 - 5 tenants and mention of the great barn, in 1580 the same. The 18th century and19th century historians have nothing of consequence to say about it. In spite of Roberts and Austin putting it in their class 4 ("one row plan, normally regular"), the available maps suggest it had once been two rows with a green, though perhaps shrunk by the late 18th century. It lay on both sides of what is now called Station Road connecting the present Sunderland-Cleadon road on the W with Fulwell Lane (Road) and Dene Lane on the E. Archaeological evaluation at Fulwell Garage in 2004 recorded a brick wall foundation and cobbled surface of unknown date. A watching brief at 3 Station Road did not penetrate beneath post medieval building debris. Whellan (1856) states that the township of Fulwell had a population of 85 in 1801; 145 in 1811; 118 in 1821; 158 in 1831, 134 in 1841 and 169 in 1851. Dated C13th.
Site Name
Fulwell village
Site Type: Specific
Village
HER Number
48
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 48 >> W. Greenwell, ed. 1871, Feodarium Prioratus Dunelmensis,Surtees Society, Vol. 58, pp. lxxxiii, 94, 311
Prior's Kitchen Durham Durham Dean and Chapter MSS, med. Bursar's rental
W.H.D. Longstaffe & J. Booth, eds. 1889, Durham Halmote Rolls, Surtees Society, I, Vol. 82, passim
Prior's Kitchen Durham Church Commission, 1779, Monkwearmouth, Southwick and Fulwell, C.C. nos. 13654-5
Sunderland Museum - 1746, Land at Fulwell
Sunderland Museum - 1790, Mr. Rob. Atkinson's estate of Fulwell
Sunderland Museum - 1830, Mansion and Windmill Estates
Dept. Pal. & Dip. Durham Tithe Maps, 1840, Fulwell
Sunderland Museum - 1842, Land at Fulwell
Dept. Pal. & Dip. Durham 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, 1:2,500 scale, Durham viii.6
W. Hutchinson, 1787, History of...Durham, Vol. II, p. 636
R. Surtees, 1820, History of Durham, Vol. II, pp. 12-13
B.K. Roberts & D. Austin, 1975, A Preliminary Check-List of Rural Clusters in County Durham, p. 34
Rev. J. Raine, 1854, The Inventories and Account Rolls of Jarrow and Monkwearmouth, Surtees Society, 29, pp. 196, 198; Whellan, W, 1856, History, Topography and Directory of the County Palatine of Durham
SURVIVAL
20-39%
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
2014
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Clare Henderson
Crossref
48
DAY1
23
DAY2
24
District
Sunderland
Easting
439609
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MAP2
NZ45NW
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
3
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
559600
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Fulwell
Description
Fulwell manor was given to the priory of Durham by Bishop William of St. Carileph, and became part of the bursar's property. Buildings recorded there in the manorial and bursar's accounts between the 14th -16th centuries include a hall, chamber, cowhouse, stable, grange and dovecot. The site has not been located, but the largest barn on the Church Commissioners' map has been suggested as a possibility.
SITEASS
Further documentary work required to locate the site though this is now almost certainly covered by housing.
Site Type: Broad
Manor
SITEDESC
Fulwell manor was given to the priory of Durham by Bishop William of St. Carileph, and became part of the bursar's property. Buildings recorded there in the manorial and bursar's accounts of C14 - C16 are hall, chamber, cowhouse, stable, grange and dovecot. The site has not been located, though Fielding suggests the largest barn on the Church Commissioners' map as a possibility. She followed the property to Halmote Book III (1493). When the manor was divided into four it became impossible to trace.
Site Name
Fulwell manor
Site Type: Specific
Manor
HER Number
47
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 47 >> Prior's Kitchen Durham Durham Dean and Chapter MSS, med. Bursar's account roills
Prior's Kitchen Durham Durham Dean and Chapter MSS, med. Manorial account rolls
Prior's Kitchen Durham Durham Dean and Chapter MSS, med. Halmote Books
W. Greenwell, ed. 1871, Feodarium Prioratus Dunelmensis, Surtees Society,Vol. 58, pp.
Prior's Kitchen Durham Church Commission, 1779, Monkwearmouth, Southwick, Fulwell, C.C. no. 13654
J. Fielding, 1980, A Study of the Buildings on the Bursar's Manors of Durham Priory, Durham University, Unpublished M.A. thesis
Rev. J. Raine, 1854, The Inventories and Account Rolls of Jarrow and Monkwearmouth, Surtees Society, 29, p. 199
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
2021
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
21
DAY2
20
District
Sunderland
Easting
441300
EASTING2
415
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45SW
MATERIAL
Flint
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
553800
NORTHING2
531
General Period
PREHISTORIC
Specific Period
Early Prehistoric -1,000 000 to -4,000
Place
Salterfen
Description
A flint artifact found on the north side of the Dene, but presumed lost.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
Gibbs recorded the discovery of an "artefact" from the north side of the Dene. Young could not trace this, and presumed it lost.
Site Name
Saltferne Dene, flint object
Site Type: Specific
Lithic Implement
HER Number
46
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 46 >> G.B. Gibbs, 1932, Neolithic Man in Co. Durham, Antiquities of Sunderland, Vol. 19, (for 1929-32), p. 24
R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, p. 92, no. 3
R. Young, 1987, Lithics and Subsistence in North-Eastern England, British Archaeological Report, British Series, Vol. 161, p. 293, F 171
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
DAY1
21
DAY2
20
District
Sunderland
Easting
441900
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ45SW
MATERIAL
Flint
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
552400
General Period
PREHISTORIC
Specific Period
Early Prehistoric -1,000 000 to -4,000
Place
Ryhope
Description
A grey flint flake, 36 mm long by 26 mm wide and 4 mm thick was found in 1904.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
"Grey flint flake, length 36 mm, width 26 mm, thickness 4 mm. Found in 1904".
Site Name
Sea Banks, flint flake
Site Type: Specific
Flake
HER Number
45
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 45 >> R. Miket, 1984, The Prehistory of Tyne and Wear, p. 92, no. 1
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Monument <By Form>
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Barbara Harbottle
Crossref
286
DAY1
21
DAY2
20
District
Sunderland
Easting
435100
EASTING2
352
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MATERIAL
Lead
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
NMRNUMBER
NZ 35 NE 61
Northing
556900
NORTHING2
572
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Place
Hylton
Description
During dredging operations, a circular lead plate was reported to have been found fixed to one of the stones making up an apparent causeway. It was subsequently lost, but later described as bearing the inscription IM D AVG with, in the centre, SC. Since there is no supporting evidence, this reading is best treated with caution, however.
SITEASS
This object was only important to Hooppell when he, very rattily, was trying to prove that there had been a Roman bridge at Hylton.
Site Type: Broad
Findspot
SITEDESC
In the course of dredging the river, and removing the stones said to be part of a causeway, a circular lead plate was reported to have been found fixed to one of the stones. It was subsequently lost. This find was first reported by Hooppell, and then published by Watkin, who described the plate as bearing the inscription IM D AVG with, in the centre, SC. Hooppell had conjectured that the Emperor Domitian was named in the inscription, but Watkin was noncommittal. Some years later Haverfield reported that, in his article in the Ephemeris (vii, n. 987), he had hinted that the reading of the plate was obviously wrong, i.e. impossible.
Site Name
Hylton, River Wear, Roman inscribed plate
Site Type: Specific
Plaque
HER Number
44
Form of Evidence
Find
Sources
<< HER 44 >> W.T. Watkin, 1883, Roman Inscriptions found in Britain in 1882, Archaeological Journal, XL, p. 141
. Haverfield, 1891, Hylton Ford, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, 2, IV (for 1889-90), p. 230
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
1995
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Clare Henderson
DAY1
21
DAY2
24
District
Sunderland
Easting
439818
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MAP2
NZ45NW
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
557766
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Monkwearmouth
Description
The provenance for this medieval village is based on a single known documentary reference. In the Durham Priory bursar's account of 1348-9 Threptend is listed among the vills owing tithes to the cell of Wearmouth. On the assumption that it therefore lay within the parish of Monkwearmouth it must have been situated on the north side of the River Wear.
SITEASS
Pursue the documents in the Prior's Kitchen.
Site Type: Broad
Settlement
SITEDESC
This entry is based on - so far - a single documentary reference. In the Durham Priory bursar's account of 1348-9 Threptend is listed among the vills owing tithes to the cell of Wearmouth. On the assumption that it therefore lay within the parish of Monkwearmouth it must have been situated on the north side of the River Wear. The first of the two maps listed above is perhaps the more likely, but it is possible that the site may have lain beyond them to the north. Dated C14th.
Site Name
Threptend village
Site Type: Specific
Deserted Settlement
HER Number
43
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 43 >> Canon Fowler, ed. 1899, Extracts from the Account Rolls of the Abbey of Durham, Surtees Society, II, 100 (for 1898), p. 548,
YEAR1
1991
YEAR2
2020
English, British
ADDITINF
N
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Barbara Harbottle
COMP2
Clare Henderson
DAY1
21
DAY2
24
District
Sunderland
Easting
435850
Grid ref figure
10
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
MAP2
NZ35NW
MONTH1
5
MONTH2
9
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
558317
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
North Hylton
Description
The earliest known reference is 1348-9, when the vill of Newton near Hylton was recorded as owing tithes to the cell of Wearmouth. Newton was certainly part of the Hylton family estates until the mid 17th century, and is sometimes described as a manor. There are no appropriate farm names in the later documents relating to this estate so Newton must be classed as deserted, and its site - though presumably on the north side of the River Wear - unlocated.
SITEASS
Just one of several problem sites on the Hylton estate. Pursue the Strathmore Collection in DRO.
Site Type: Broad
Settlement
SITEDESC
The earliest reference so far found is 1348-9, when the vill of Newton near Hylton was recorded as owing tithes to the cell of Wearmouth. Certainly part of the Hylton estates, and sometimes described as a manor, Newton appears in the i.p.m.s of the Hylton family until the mid C17. There are no appropriate farm names in the later documents relating to this estate so Newton must be classed as deserted, and its site - though presumably on the north side of the River Wear - unlocated. Either of the above two maps are possible. Dated C14th.
Site Name
Newton village
Site Type: Specific
Deserted Settlement
HER Number
42
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
<< HER 42 >> Canon Fowler, ed. 1899, Extracts from the Account Rolls of the Abbey of Durham, Surtees Society, II, 100 (for 1898), p. 548,
W. Hutchinson, 1787, History of...Durham, Vol. II, pp. 619n, 683-4