Monument record 3253/0/3 - Possible Medieval Wood Bank (Morphed Aerial Archaeology Interpretation)

Crop/soilmark: Good quality photography; soilmark of a levelled bank. Probable former bank of a earlier, smaller stage of the park (possibly the original early 12th century structure); an inner ditch would have been likely

[HER note 25/09/2014: the remaining park pale earthwork on the north, east and south sides of the deer park have been removed from the Northamptonshire SHINE record (formerly DNN14358), as it is now included in the Bedfordshire SHINE record DBD4619 to avoid conflicts with the Natural England mapping system. This also applies to SHINE submission for monuments MNN3493 and MNN8373.]

{2} The park dates to the early 12th century, but was enlarged in 1166. A fieldwork survey undertaken in 1967 identified a soilmark of an inner rampart, which supports there being an earlier and smaller stage. It is confirmed by a plan of 1794 {3} kept with the tithe papers of the park, showing hedges then following boundaries of the inner park.

{4} Trial trench excavation identified a ditch aligned north-west to south-east in three trenches. It was up to 2.1m wide and 0.9m deep. A ceramic land drain had been lain along its base, but there was otherwise no dating evidence. Interpreted as post-medieval, but aligned alongside the soilmark of the medieval bank;

<1> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Photographs). SNN104822.

<2> Hall D.; Handing R., 1985, Rushden, A Duchy of Lancaster Village (Book). SNN105284.

<3> 1794, Copy map of Higham Park (Map). SNN111389.

<4> Ingham D., 2007, Westwood Biogas Plant, Higham Park, Rushden, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Field Evaluation (Report). SNN105994.

Record last edited

Feb 21 2019 11:49AM