Barnsley as a settlement is likely to have Anglo-Saxon origins. After the Norman conquest the town came under the control of the Cluniac priory of St John at Pontefract who were probably responsible for the resettlement of the village. This polygon represents the original settlement prior to the shift south west of here to take advantage of better communications routes and this original settlement was known as Old Town by 1280. The settlement wasn't abandoned and remained as a home for craftsmen and farmers. (Elliot 2002, 25-27). The buildings with the polygon mostly date to 1900 although there has been some later infilling. The layout of the settlement retains its older pattern so legibility is partial.