MSO9257 - Post-medieval building in Mansley Combe (Monument)

A roofless building is depicted on the 1st Edition 25 inch Ordnance Survey mapping of 1889 ([1]). The site lies at SS 9043 4059 and comprises a very well preserved rectangular building, aligned north to south, measuring 8 metres by 2.5 metres internally. It is defined by coursed stone walls 0.9 metres wide and 0.6 metres high. Gaps in the west and east sides may mark original entrances, but these are now occupied by a path. A massive ash tree occupies the southeast corner of the building. The surrounding area is densely overgrown with bracken, but it appears that this structure is isolated; neither does it appear to be associated with the deserted medieval settlement 120 metres to the west (MSO9254). [2] The building is not shown on the Tithe Map for Cutcombe, suggesting it dates from post 1842. [3] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [4] The remains of a rectangular building lie to the east of the deserted settlement in Mansley Combe within the extensive system of strip lynchets on the north side of Mansley Combe.The remains comprise a level platform, 8.5m N/S and 3m E/W, terraced into the hillside, defined by coursed stone walls, 0.6m thick and 0.7m high, with tumbled stone around and inside the structure. A path runs across the building, perhaps using an original entrance on the west side. A large ash tree, perhaps 250 to 300 years old, grows on the SE corner of the building. The tree and the building (shown as a roofless structure) are depicted on the OS 1st edition map of 1889. Documentary evidence indicates that the building was a roofless tenement called Langham in 1700.[5] A lease from 1700 records ‘a roofless tenement called Langham with 20 acres of pasture, three acres in Langham Wood and 100 acres of heath or furze called Acham in Cutcombe Raleigh’ [6]