Castlefacts³

Fastendich, Stokenchurch

Has been described as a Questionable Urban Defence

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

Name	Fastendich, Stokenchurch
Alternative Names	Pilsedich
Historic Country	Buckinghamshire
Modern Authority	Buckinghamshire
1974 Authority	Buckinghamshire
Civil Parish	Stokenchurch

Creighton and Higham write "Fastendich and Old Dashwood Hill are possible examples of enclosed medieval villages." Fastendich is not otherwise referenced and identification with any archaeological site uncertain but seems to refer to PAstScape record 245511:-

The name 'Fastendich' occurs as early as 1197. It is probably a compound of 'faesten' and 'dic', hence 'stronghold-ditch'. The exact site is unknown but it was probably in (the former) West Wycombe parish and may have been hear Widdenton (Widdenton Park Wood is at SU 8191). (EPN) "Fastendich, now covered over with woods, lies below Dell's Farm (SU 7894)and in early Saxon time must have been a very important upland settlement". (Harmon) No trace of a fortified settlement evident on the ground. Medieval field banks are said to be visible within Dell's Wood at SU 788944 and also at SU 791 949.(P A Stevens/18-OCT-1972) SU 7880 9435 Small banked enclosure circa 90m x 30m found several years ago was surveyed by Mr & Mrs Cauvain and B.D Easterbrook in 1978. Finds of pottery, roof tiles and shaped flint indicated occupation, including permanent buildings in the 13th and 14th centuries. It has been suggested that this is is the site of the lost hamlet of Fastendich. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The Bucks SMR places Fastendich at SU810974 and suggests it as a linear Dark Ages territorial boundary (An entirely reasonable suggestion). Within Stokenchurch CP it identifies a medieval banked enclosure and farmstead at Pomfrey Castle (SU73559495) and another banked enclosure in Dell's Wood (SU78779435) identified as possibly the lost hamlet of Pilsedich. This later seems to be the site PastScape are referring too. The report earthworks are slight and, although the hamlet name still has a ditch component, do not appear to be of a defensive nature. It may well be that Fastendich was a quite undefended village which took its names for its proximity to an older linear earthwork.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)

245511

County Historic Environment Record

ubp.buckscc.gov.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=MBC6982

OS Map Grid Reference	SU788944
Latitude	51.6425399780273
Longitude	-0.862709999084473
Eastings	478800
Northings	194400