High wold valleys are generally steepsided, v-shaped and dry; they would not support human communities. However, at Wharram Percy -- which runs north/south -- there is a plateau in the bottom of the valley (created by a landslide in geologic time but added to by humans) and a continuous source of water. It is believed that humans have occupied the valley for millenia.
The name WHARRAM is thought to be an Old Scandanavian word meaning "at the bends"; PERCY is the family name of the Duke of Northumberland which were lords of the manor from the 12 - 14c.. The valley curves slightly westward at its upper end. The plateau at the bottom of the valley is the site of St. Martin's church, a dam and mill pond and a small range of peasant houses at its northern end. In the middle ages, there was a glebe land near the church and in the late middle ages a shepherd's farmstead further north.
The village itself ran along the western edge of the valley with a few cottages at the northern head of the valley. At its peak it may have contained 150 persons. The two Norman manor houses were also located on the western edge.
The earliest inhabitants were probably Neolithic farmers; the earliest house evidence comes from the Iron Age -- 100 BC. The Romans occupied the site and were followed by the Anglo-Saxons. The late-Saxon/Norman village was the largest; it was this village that was depopulated in the 15 c.
In the 17 and 18 c. the land was given over to sheep; it was plowed again in the 18 c. The present worker's cottages are all that remain of the 18 c farm. They were occupied until the 1970's.
Ken Tompkins