Monument record 747/1/2 - Medieval Dam (Morphed Aerial Archaeology Interpretation)

Earthwork: Non-destructive fieldwork

{1} The dam here is perhaps the most impressive in Northamptonshire, being 170 paces long from east to west, 26 paces broad at the foot and 12-15 feet high. It spans a narrow valley and the pond so created was of immense size. The stream feeding it has two tributaries, one coming from the village and the other rising a mile away near Blackmires farm. The dam has traces of limestone revetting in the sluice gap and medieval pottery of the sandy Potterspury type was found lying at the foot of it.

{2} Earthworks of a large linear bank across terrace of small stream and breached by the stream. Possibly medieval mill dam. Slighter return at right angles

{3} This pond, when filled, was probably the largest artifical pond in the county in medieval times. The water was retained by a large dam spanning the open valley. This is flat-topped and up to 3m high and has a later gap cut through the centre. At its east end the dam turns north and there is a large marshy depression along its east side, perhaps where the surplus water from the pond was returned around the edge of the dam and into the stream.

{4} Aerial photos NCCAP: SP6644/5+11

{5} Of greater size was the fishpond at Silverstone, some 700m long, now dry beneath an impressive dam at SP669448, where the parish boundary was altered to incorporate it. It was in use in the C13th. An excellent view is obtained from the A43.

<1> STEANE J.M., 1970, The Medieval Fishponds of Northamptonshire, 4:5 p.308 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN4943.

<2> OS 6 INCH MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN13343.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.134 Site 2 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<4> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Photographs). SNN104822.

<5> Laundon J.R., 2006, The Importance of Northamptonshire's Reservoirs, p.73 (part checked) (Article). SNN109288.

Record last edited

Feb 19 2014 6:00PM