Monument record 0262302000 - BRILL

Summary

Historical records and archaeological evidence of a medieval and post-medieval pottery industry at Brill.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Map

Type and Period (2)

  • POTTERY WORKS (13th Century to 19th Century - 1200 AD to 1899 AD)
  • POTTERY KILN (13th Century to 19th Century - 1200 AD to 1899 AD)

Description

First record of potters in Brill occurs in 1254; payments of 'claygavel' (fees for the right to dig potting clay) were made regularly to the lord of the manor of Brill in C13 & C14. Potting continued into the C19, the last potter being Mr Hubbocks, who ceased production in the 1860'S (B5).

A pottery industry at Brill was first documented circa 1210-20 and 1254 and appeared to have been in continuous operation until the mid 19th century. At least 12 kiln have been identified within the village, some have been identifed from pottery scatters, others from excavations. The earliest known kilns were Musty type 2c examples with double stoke holes and a central pedestal which were in production during the 14th century. Kiln products were handmade but wheel-finished, the range included cooking pots, jugs, pans, bowls, skillets and pipkins in sandy fabrics with quartz, limestone and flint inclusions. Later kilns which have been excavated were in production during the 16th century-17th century and the mid 19th century. The kilns included Musty type 4 examples and remains of possible brick kilns or pot drying ovens. Kiln products included jugs, cisterns, bowls, Cistercian wares and tiles in mainly sandy fabric. A small proportion of the pottery assemblage comprised whitewares. Clay pits possibly associated with the pottery industry, but more likely to be associated with brick and tile kiln documented in the area during the 18th century-19th century, are present on Brill Common, to the northwest of the village (B14).
This record includes National Record of the Historic Environment Information provided by Historic England on 4 June 2025 licensed under the Open Government Licence (B15).

Sources (3)

  • <5>SBC19727 Bibliographic reference: James Joseph Sheahan. 1862. History and Topography of Buckinghamshire.
  • <14>SBC28607 Bibliographic reference: Michael R McCarthy & Catherine M Brooks. 1988. Medieval Pottery in Britain AD 900-1600.
  • <15>SBC27441 Digital archive: Historic England. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE).

Location

Grid reference SP 65500 14000 (point)
Civil Parish BRILL, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

May 6 2026 1:56PM

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