History
A prehistoric feature in the Thornton Watlass area is Gospel Hill tumulus, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, at grid reference SE228862 about 1 km northwest of the village.
Saxon remains of two cross-heads are evidence that people lived in the area before the Norman conquest in 1066. They are on display in Thornton Watlass Church.
The Domesday book of 1086 mentions the separate villages of Thornton and Watlass. Before the Norman conquest the Saxon owners of these villages were Ulward and Stan; however, Thornton is shown in the Domesday book as being owned by Ribald, brother of Alan Earl of Richmond. Thornton Watlass Hall and estate has been owned by the Dodsworth family since 1415.
The Anglican Church of St Mary the Virgin stands a little way outside the village to the southwest. It was rebuilt, with the exception of the tower, in 1868 in the Perpendicular style. The tower contains some living accommodation (including toilet) and was probably used as a place of safety in times of strife.
The village school was built in 1872.
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