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Letton God's Acre Group Archaeology Survey
Location: Herefordshire
Introduction
The parish church of St John the Baptist, Letton, is located in the village of Letton, Herefordshire, approximately 16 km north-west of Hereford. At the time of the Domesday survey, Letton was held by Roger de Lucy, and the presence of a priest was recorded here (Thorn and Thorn, 1983). The present church is constructed of local sandstone with some tufa and the roofs are covered with stone slates. The earliest structural fabric of the church, the north wall of the nave, is dated to the late 11th or early 12th century (RCHME, 1934).
The parish church stands in the northern part of the churchyard. A topographic survey of the churchyard was undertaken on 20th May 2004 by Herefordshire Archaeology staff in collaboration with the Caring for God's Acre project of the Diocese of Hereford.
Conclusion
The oval form and curvilinear boundaries of Letton churchyard, including the earthwork terrace, suggest at least a medieval origin. Similar features have also been associated with churchyards and burial grounds dated to the first millennium. Limited evidence of boundary change was observed in the form of the linear west wall and the angular south-west corner. These changes appear to have been made between 1840 (parish tithe map) and 1891 (Ordnance Survey 1st edition map), and may be associated with reconstruction work undertaken by the Rev. Henry Blisset.
The presence of a priest at Letton during the 11th century is recorded by the Domesday survey. The continuing presence of priests at Letton is attested by a sequence of rectories, or parsonages, dating from the 17th century to at least 1870.
The earliest structural fabric of the existing church, the north all of the nave, has been dated to the late 11th or early 12th century (RCHME, 1934). Two architectural features that form part of the early fabric, tufa stone blocks and counter-pitched masonry (producing a herring-bone effect) may be indicative of the former existence of a pre-Norman structure.
A long history of continuity and change from the 11th century is recognised at Letton. Moreover, topographic features of the churchyard and architectural features of the oldest structural fabric of the parish church suggest the possibility of a first millennium origin for the earliest church and churchyard at Letton.
Further information:
 Visit the Letton Village website for the full report
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