Monument record 4263/1 - Group of medieval fishponds

{1} Three medieval fishponds with associated dams & supply channels; one of best examples in county; plan 1:10560

{5} Site inspection to consider condition of fishponds; general impression that earthworks in very good condition with limited areas displaying active erosion caused by general wear & weathering & stock;Inspection also revealed some previously unrecorded features including evidence for stone revetting within dam walls & small drainage gullies in base of three ponds; uncertain whether part of fishpond function or later feature; later breaches within dams; exact form & function of fishponds discussed; small elongated pool within middle dam tentatively identified as fish breeding tank by RCHME; alternative interpretation is that middle & lower fishponds contained controlled outfall or sluices for catching fish swept through main dam outfall; further details in report in Supplementary File;

{7} Fishponds owned by the Knights Hospitallers from 1288, within a minor manor of otherwise limited value. They can only have been developed as part of a policy of direct commercial exploitation and the existence of Market Harborough only 8km away must have been a factor in their construction and development.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.77 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> BERESFORD; ST.JOSEPH, 1958, Medieval England, p.69 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN56470.

<3> STEANE J.M., 1970, The Medieval Fishponds of Northamptonshire, 4/306+307 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN4943.

<4> Taylor P., 1992, Fishponds Report 1992, (checked) (Report). SNN1339.

<5> CADMAN G.E., 1995, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (Report). SNN49971.

<6> Curteis M.; Musgrave E.; Tingle M. (Editors), 1995, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1995, p156 Harrington, Falls Farm (Checked) (Notes). SNN104575.

<7> ASTON M. (ED), 1988, Medieval Fish, Fisheries and Fishponds in England (Part 2), p.468 (checked) (Report). SNN107095.

Record last edited

Feb 11 2014 3:05PM