ABSTRACT
Although Caldecote is described in the Victoria County History of Hertfordshire, the earthworks of the deserted crofts had escaped the notice of archaeologists and historians until the site was discovered by Professor M W Beresford whilst recording the lost villages of Hertfordshire. The village and rectory sites were accordingly excavated in four summer seasons between 1973 and 1976, and the last season of 1977 was devoted to the excavation of the manorial enclosure. In order to complement the results of archaeological excavation, recording was undertaken of two post-medieval barns and later farm buildings surrounding the manor house which was then still standing: the church of St Mary Magdalene and the present manor house at whose core lies a farmhouse of 'Wealden" type. Fabdens, lying towards the south-east corner of the county, is an example of a house of Wealden type.
