Monument record 1453 - Biggin Grange Deer Park

Site of a Medieval deer park covering 110 ha. First mentioned in 1327 when the Abbot of Peterborough was granted a deer leap there, though the park may have originated in the twelfth century, contemporary with Briggin Grange. Park pale well preserved up to 2m high and 8m wide.

{1} Biggin was a grange or manor of Peterborough Abbey. A list of rights of the Abbey dated 1321 following the death of Abbot Godfrey, mentions a park. It had been claimed by the Earl of Gloucester in 1292, but was adjudged to be the property of the Abbey. A grant of free warren and a deer leap 20ft in length were acquired at the end of the reign of Edward I.

{3} The park probably dates to the late C12th; its later history is ill-recorded. Its location is identifiable by fieldnames. It covers an area around and to the south-east of Biggin Hall.

{4} Here was anciently a park in which the Abbot (of Peterborough) in ED 111 had a grant of a deer-leap 20' long.

{5} Fieldname: Park Wood Closes.

{6} It was held by Peterborough Abbey; there was a failed claim by the Earl of Gloucester in 1292. It was first referred to as a park in 1321.

{7} Charles Joy Esq. No enclosed park is shown.

{11} In 1304 the Abbot was granted right of free warren in his demesnes of Oundle. This is thought to have been the time when Biggin Park was laid out, with the enclosure of previously cultivated land. In 1500 two tenants were fined for breaking into the lord’s warren and taking hares and rabbits. Warren Bridge is recorded in 1565 at the south-west end of Chapel End leading towards Stoke Doyle. It was presumed that the rabbit warren lay in this area, however there is no evidence of the site of a warren in the open field furlongs in 1565. It seems unlikely therefore that the warren was in fact in the area of Warren Bridge therefore it remains unlocated.

<1> STEANE J.M., 1975, The Medieval Parks of Northamptonshire, p.219 (checked) (Article). SNN37713.

<2> 1911, Northamptonshire Notes and Queries (New Series), p.25-6 (unchecked) (Series). SNN56432.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.71 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.412 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<5> 1810, Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN42525.

<6> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.90 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<7> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<8> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<9> 1954, Country Life (1954), p.1758-61;p.1852-55 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN56409.

<10> CADMAN G.E., 1998, Biggin, Benefield; Archaeological and Historic Landscape Management Guidance, (unchecked) (Document). SNN54971.

<11> Foard G.; Ballinger J.;, 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Oundle, Section 3.1.2.7 Warren (checked) (Report). SNN102637.

<12> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, (RAF VAP CPE/UK2109, 4371-3, 4414-6) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<13> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire I (North-East), 890480 (Archive). SNN113295.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:49PM