Monument record 2473 - Boughton Medieval Deer Park

A licence to enclosure a park was granted in 1473 which was enlarged in the 17th century during the reign of Charles I by Sir Edward Montagu and involved the closing of the road north from Weekley. The exact boundaries of the late medieval park are unknown and are thought to have been removed by later landscaping.

{1} Duke of Montague (and on second edition of 1791).

{3} Richard Whitehill obtained a grant of free warren in the manor of Boughton with licence to inclose a park and embattle a manor house in 1473. The site was that of a desrted medieval village and ridge and furrow of medieval cultivation can be traced under the trees of the park. The Montagues were enlarging the park in the C17th. Charles I allowed Edward, Lord Montague, to transfer 100 acres to the park.

{4} The medieval deer park lay somewhere in the area of the present ornamental park around Boughton House. In 1473 Richard Whitehall obtained licence to enclose a park at Boughton, presumably covering land formerly belonging to the deserted village of Boughton. In the C17th this park was enlarged by Sir Edward Montagu.
The exact area of the original late medieval park is not known with certainty. Hardly any of the boundaries survive on the ground and it is probable that it was never surrounded by the massive earthen bank which characterised many of the earlier parks. However, it is possible to suggest a tentative outline, partly from field evidence and partly from early C18th maps. The northern boundary was probably the same as the present walled and hedged boundary of the later park, which follows the modern Geddington to Grafton Underwood road. Along this section (SP89948216 to SP91148133) a large but much spread bank, with traces of an inner ditch, survives in places. From the north-east corner of the present park (SP91148133) the boundary of the medieval park probably continued south-westwards, then westwards, following the line that exists today, and as it was in 1715. No trace of a bank other than a modern hedge bank is visible (SP91558063 to SP89458075). To the east of Weekley village this line runs into the marshy ground along the River Ise, and the land beyond appears to be that brought into the park in the C17th. From this point therefore the boundary probably followed the original course of the river northwards, before the latter was altered to form part of the late C17th gardens.

{5} Seat of His Grace the Duke of Montagu…. 33rd year of reign of Henry VIII was granted to Edward Montague, Knight. Lands belonged to St Edmundsbury Convent rot.pat.anno. In the 13th year of the reign of Edward IV Richard Whetehill of Gysnes obtained grant of free warren in the manor of Boughton with licence to inclose a park and embattle his mansion house. In the 4th year of the reign of Henry VII Adrian Whetehill Esq of Calais sold the manor to Robert and Thomas Burden, Merchant Staplers at Calais. In the 20th year of the reign of Henry VIII the Burdens conveyed the manor and lands to Edward Montagu Esq (born Brigstock, Middle Temple, 16th year of reign of Henry VIII and appointed autumn reader of that society, died Boughton 1556). In the 15th year of Charles I letters patent to disaforest Boughton lands, make into a park not exceeding 100 acres.

{6} Boughton had two manors, the smaller acquired a crenellated mansion and park in 1473. This was purchased in 1532 by Sir Edward Montague, who also purchased the larger manor in 1547. 600 sheep were maintained on the lands.

{7} The smaller of the two manors at Boughton acquired a crenellated mansion and park in 1473, and was purchased in 1532 by Sir Edward Montagu. The larger manor, which belonged to Bury st Edmunds Abbey in 1086, was granted away at an unknown date and eventually purchased by Montagu. In 1547 600 sheep were maintained in the park.

{9} The park as it appears in 1715.

<1> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<2> Gotch J.A., 1936, The Old Halls and Manor Houses of Northamptonshire, p.50 (unchecked) (Book). SNN44101.

<3> STEANE J.M., 1975, The Medieval Parks of Northamptonshire, p.220 (checked) (Article). SNN37713.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.154+156 Site 9 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.349-53 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<6> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<7> Allison K.J.; Beresford M.W.; Hurst J.G. et al, 1966, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire, p.35-36 (checked) (Report). SNN39628.

<8> 1477, Calendar of Patent Rolls (1467-77), p.292 (unchecked) (Document). SNN2637.

<9> Booth, J., 1715, Boughton Estate Map (NRO Map 2834), (unchecked) (Map). SNN108045.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:50PM