Place record 0260200000 - AKELEY PARISH

Charters re Luffield Priory's holdings in 'Acle' (Akeley) (B1).
24 test pits were dug (between depths of 0-700mm) at various points around the village in July-August 2001. As part of the University of Birmingham's wider Whittlewood Project, the aim was to provide a snapshot view of settlement patterns for Akeley. The tentative conclusions from the survey suggest that the village grew up around an earlier Romano-British occupation site within the churchyard. The line of the Roman road from Buckingham to Towcester further dictated the location of medieval properties. The finds indicate a village foundation date from 9th-10th centuries. After the church the most important area of the village seems to be along the Leckhampstead Road towards Manor Farm - whether the settlement pattern was 'nucleated' or 'interrupted row' is not certain. The results suggest more dispersed settlelment influenced by small woodland clearings made by settlers which eventually grew to form the community (Akeley - means 'oak clearing') (B4).
Interim report on fieldwork carried out in 2001-2 as part of the Whittlewood Project (B6).
Brief report on 2002 fieldwork carried out as part of the Whittlewood Project (B7).
Further 20 test pits dug between June and August 2002 for the Whittlewood Project identified a wide spread of Iron Age pottery, although whether from settlement or agriculture was uncertain. The location of early-middle Saxon settlement appears to be restricted to a single location, later expanding around the church. Following the Conquest, the village expanded rapidly, only to retract in the early 14th century. In the post-medieval period the line of the main street shifted to the west onto its current course (B13).
Brief summary of results of Whittlewood Project (B11).
Detailed findings of Whittlewood Project (B12).
Analysis of pre-1600 major and minor place-names in parish (B14).