Monument record 5484 - Handley Park

Handley park was first recorded in 1220. Although general boundaries can be identified there is no evidence of a park pale on the ground. It was disafforested and converted to farmland after it was purchased from the Crown in 1629.

{1} Documentary references to a medieval deer park in that part of Towcester parish known as Handley.

{2} It was first recorded in 1220, but abandoned before 1600. The general boundaries are identified. Plan: Fig.41.

{3} Fieldname: Park Farm.

{4} Handley Park mapping taken from RCHME - part conjectural. Mapping taken from EUS Project files Deer Park Polygons.
(Ref 3.1.2.6) There was a deer park at Handley, to the south west of Towcester. Park Lane led out of the town in this direction. The park was first recorded in 1220 (?or 1229) and it was disparked in 1631. According to Bridges, it had been arable before c.1720.

{7} Handley Park (also sometimes spelled Hanley Park) was part of a large ancient woodland in Northamptonshire, a few miles west of Towcester. It was purchased from the Crown in 1629 by Sir Simon Bennet. He died in August 1631, and his will, made just a few days before his death, revealed his ambitious plans for his new estate. First of all, the timber on Handley Park was to be cut down and sold off, and the proceeds used to subsidise the building of a new quadrangle at University College. Secondly, the deforested estate would then be turned over to farmland, and rented out. The income from this property would then support a number of new Fellows and Scholars at the College.

{8} Hanley contains 863 acres of old inclosure, the property of the master and fellows of University College, Oxford. It was disafforested, the timber felled, and the whole converted into tillage and pasture within a few years of its alienation by the Crown in the 17th century. The quarry from which the tower and aisles of Towcester Church were rebuilt is not now worked, but is known as the 'Delfe'.

It is not known whether Hanley was independent or not of Whittlewood at Domesday, but by 1251 the connection is certain, since the sheriff of the county stated that without the woods of Pokesley and Hanley in Whittlewood sufficent timber could not be found for the King's works at Silverstone.

{9} The mid 19th century tithe map depicts four adjoining fields which include the name 'Delph' at cSP 666 476.

<1> STEANE J.M., 1975, The Medieval Parks of Northamptonshire, p.225-6 (unchecked) (Article). SNN37713.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.158 (part checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1958, Ordnance Survey Six Inch Mapping Series, SP64NE (unchecked) (Map). SNN12935.

<4> Taylor J.; Foard G.; Laughton J.; Steadman S.; Ballinger J., 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Towcester, 3.1.2.6 (checked) (Report). SNN103132.

<5> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

<6> Giggins, B., 2014, Historic Towcester Survey: Handley Park (Note). SNN111644.

<7> 1601-1939, The Estate of Handley Park, Northamptonshire, 1601-1939 (Archive). SNN111709.

<8> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 340-342 (Book). SNN77328.

<9> 1849, Tithe Map of Handley, 1849 (Map). SNN111713.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2019 11:01AM