North and Middle Littleton
Encyclopedia
North and Middle Littleton is a civil parish
located in the Wychavon
district of Worcestershire
, England
. The parish comprises the villages of North Littleton and Middle Littleton, and is located near the larger settlement of South Littleton
. The parish of North and Middle Littleton is bound by the River Avon to the west, and Buckle Street (the Roman Ryknild St) to the east.
human activity has been documented in the area, it is thought the first permanent settlements were constructed during Romano-British times (the important Roman road
of Ryknild Street runs by the area). Other nearby Romano-British settlements at Ullington, Blakes Hill and Littleton Pastures have been documented, and all were thought to be in continuous occupation until the late 4th century. Archeological evidence suggests the area was completely abandoned after the end of the Roman occupation of Britain.
The area had been repopulated to an extent by the time of the Domesday Book
, which documents the Littletons twice. "Littletune" (thought to be North Littleton), was owned by Evesham Abbey
, and had a population of 18 who farmed the land owned by the abbey. St Nicholas Church located in Middle Littleton is thought to have been first constructed in the 12th century, though it was significantly remodelled in the 13th century. The Tithe Barn
is an early 14th century farm building which is now owned by the National Trust
.
Middle Littleton Manor House is a 17th century Jacobean
style manor house
, and was constructed using local stone. Later stone buildings remain in the villages today. In the 19th century, 23 people were listed in the parish as working in farming or market gardening
. It remained largely as an agricultural area until the late 1940s. Today, very few of the inhabitants of the parish are employed in agriculture.
) Church is located in Middle Littleton, as is Littleton Village Hall
.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
located in the Wychavon
Wychavon
Wychavon is a local government district in Worcestershire, England. Its council is based in Pershore. Other towns in the district include Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Broadway. The district extends from the south-east corner of Worcestershire north and west...
district of Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The parish comprises the villages of North Littleton and Middle Littleton, and is located near the larger settlement of South Littleton
South Littleton
South Littleton is a village and civil parish located in the Wychavon district of Worcestershire, England.South Littleton is located midway between Evesham and Bidford on Avon. South Littleton is the largest of The Littletons, with North and Middle Littleton being smaller...
. The parish of North and Middle Littleton is bound by the River Avon to the west, and Buckle Street (the Roman Ryknild St) to the east.
History
Though NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
human activity has been documented in the area, it is thought the first permanent settlements were constructed during Romano-British times (the important Roman road
Roman road
The Roman roads were a vital part of the development of the Roman state, from about 500 BC through the expansion during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Roman roads enabled the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate. The Roman road system spanned more than 400,000 km...
of Ryknild Street runs by the area). Other nearby Romano-British settlements at Ullington, Blakes Hill and Littleton Pastures have been documented, and all were thought to be in continuous occupation until the late 4th century. Archeological evidence suggests the area was completely abandoned after the end of the Roman occupation of Britain.
The area had been repopulated to an extent by the time of the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
, which documents the Littletons twice. "Littletune" (thought to be North Littleton), was owned by Evesham Abbey
Evesham Abbey
Evesham Abbey was founded by Saint Egwin at Evesham in England between 700 and 710 A.D. following a vision of the Virgin Mary by Eof.According to the monastic history, Evesham came through the Norman Conquest unusually well, because of a quick approach by Abbot Æthelwig to William the Conqueror...
, and had a population of 18 who farmed the land owned by the abbey. St Nicholas Church located in Middle Littleton is thought to have been first constructed in the 12th century, though it was significantly remodelled in the 13th century. The Tithe Barn
Tithe barn
A tithe barn was a type of barn used in much of northern Europe in the Middle Ages for storing the tithes - a tenth of the farm's produce which had to be given to the church....
is an early 14th century farm building which is now owned by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
.
Middle Littleton Manor House is a 17th century Jacobean
Jacobean architecture
The Jacobean style is the second phase of Renaissance architecture in England, following the Elizabethan style. It is named after King James I of England, with whose reign it is associated.-Characteristics:...
style manor house
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
, and was constructed using local stone. Later stone buildings remain in the villages today. In the 19th century, 23 people were listed in the parish as working in farming or market gardening
Market gardening
A market garden is the relatively small-scale production of fruits, vegetables and flowers as cash crops, frequently sold directly to consumers and restaurants. It is distinguishable from other types of farming by the diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, typically, from under one acre ...
. It remained largely as an agricultural area until the late 1940s. Today, very few of the inhabitants of the parish are employed in agriculture.
North and Middle Littleton today
The villages are served by North and Middle Littleton Parish Council. St Nicholas (Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
) Church is located in Middle Littleton, as is Littleton Village Hall
Village hall
In the United States, a village hall is the seat of government for villages. It functions much as a city hall does within cities.In the United Kingdom, a village hall is usually a building within a village which contains at least one large room, usually owned by and run for the benefit of the local...
.