We have always understood that our cottage is at least 400 years old because it has a cruck beam in the centre of the structure. Cruck framed buildings first appeared in the 12th Century and the use of crucks continued to be a common construction technique until the early 17th Century.
Recent research (in 2005) on the cottage by our local history group has thrown up many interesting facts and conjectures about a far earlier history than we could ever have imagined. Very early maps show an enclosure around the cottage and It is situated on one of the few level areas of land in the village. It is adjacent to the church and also sited on a small outcrop of shale where water is readily available from the many nearby wells. All these facts would suggest that it could be the site of an Anglo-Saxon settlement.
Recent research (in 2005) on the cottage by our local history group has thrown up many interesting facts and conjectures about a far earlier history than we could ever have imagined. Very early maps show an enclosure around the cottage and It is situated on one of the few level areas of land in the village. It is adjacent to the church and also sited on a small outcrop of shale where water is readily available from the many nearby wells. All these facts would suggest that it could be the site of an Anglo-
Information from the Elton history group
Research from The Domesday Book of 1086 says that Elton was part of the land of Henry de Ferrers.
It was then, as now, in the Wirksworth Wapentake.
Research from The Domesday Book of 1086 says that Elton was part of the land of Henry de Ferrers.
It was then, as now, in the Wirksworth Wapentake.
The Domesday Book says:
2M In Eltune (Elton) Caschin and Uctred had 2 carucates of land (assessed) to the geld. (There is) land for 2 ploughs. There is now 1 plough in demesne; and (there are) 9 villeins and 10 bordars who have 4 ploughs and 12 acres of meadow. Underwood 3 furlongs in length and 3 furlongs in breadth. In King Edward’s time it was worth 40 shillings and (it is worth the same) now.
Uhtred (Uctred) and his daughter are described as being “of Elton”. It is therefore probable that they lived here, and the most likely place for the manor house is where Hawthorn Cottage now stands.
William the Conqueror gave Elton and most of the rest of Derbyshire to Henry de Ferrers. Godfrey de Folechamp who came with King William and who married Uhtred of Elton’s daughter probably did so to ensure that he became a lord of the manor and he aquired Uhtred's manor at Elton.
We know from a document of 1322 that there was a manor house (a messuage, i.e. house and surrounding land) in Elton. We think the most likely place for the manor house would be where Uhtred had lived and the most likely place for Uhtred’s house is where Hawthorn Cottage now stands. The Foljambes were probably here at the time of the Black Death (1348). The fact that Godfrey Foljambe, born 1344, endowed a chantry in Elton in 1358 for the souls of the Foljambe family suggests that the family had close ties with the village and some may even be buried here.
History
