Monument record 777/0/1 - The Larches: triple ditch system

Remains of Prehistoric linear boundary seen as earthworks, which may have been used at a later date as part of a deer park boundary. Previously alleged to be a quarry spoil.

{2} Fieldname: The Larches.

{3} NCC Aerial Photo: SP6356/033-4. Cropmark 180m long.

{4} RCHM rejects interpretation of the linear earthworks (centred SP 6325 5670) as a result of quarrying {15}, or that they are 19th century military works for cannon associated with Weedon Barracks, or a medieval warren. A more acceptable explanation is that they are part of a linear boundary of prehistoric date, possibly reused at a later date as part of a deer park boundary (SP 65 NW 29). [RCHM plan and profile]. Air photographs show that the feature continued N.E. for at least 180m.

{5} "In the Earl of Danby's time (c 1600) there were two parks at Stowe, contiguous with each other, well stocked with deer, which upon the complaint of the tenants have since been converted to another use". (The double ditch could well be the remains of a deer leap).

{7} Curving earthwork with 4 causeways- possibly modern? 220m long (?); prehistoric linear boundary?; re-used as a boundary deer park SN 762? {1} Possible C19th military earthwork / quarry spoil / Rabbit Warren / Park Pale

{8} On the N side of the road to Stowe, where it bends to the NE, is an entrenchment in a foss cover. It consists of a double trenched foss, c 6" deep.

{9} In the December of 1972, Gwen Brown cut a trench 24 metres in length and one metre wide across the earthwork. The excavation took place because, despite being a scheduled ancient monument, the earthworks were due to be flattened then ploughed out in 1973 (this never happened). A plan showed what was thought to be a hearth protruding from one of the inner banks, and in a letter Mrs Brown mentioned that the earthwork was palisaded with large post holes in the ditches. No dating evidence was found. It has been suggested since that the earthworks and many other similar ones in the area form part of an extensive boundary network spreading from Northamptonshire to the Humber that dates from the Middle Bronze Age.
The original section was re-excavated in 2001. No dating evidence was found once again, although a single piece of worked flint was found sealed beneath one of the banks. All of the four banks were composed of a core of up-cast natural over which there was a loose layer of disturbed topsoil. Re-cutting the section confirmed that the inner bank was in fact composed of two banks with a shallow depression between them. This suggests that they were simultaneously constructed from the up-cast of their respective quarry ditches. The southern-most outer bank is a later addition although it is over twice the height of the inner ditches.
If one accepts that this earthwork was demarcating some sort of territorial boundary then the southern bank could be seen as a re-statement of the boundary in such a way as to make it more visible. The northernmost bank is the least pronounced and may well have been constructed from a fourth ditch that lies outside the scheduled area. There was no surviving evidence of the hearth shown on the 1973 section or of the postholes mentioned in correspondence.
One rather obvious and troubling feature that was revealed by this excavation was the extent to which the root systems of bracken had penetrated the earthwork.

{12} Paper identifying this feature as a possible vallum to a Roman camp.

{14} (SP 6317 5657) to SP 6328 5680) EARTHWORKS (LB)

{15} Although scheduled under secular works and sites (a) this feature is not an antiquity. The earthworks comprise three parallel banks apparently made up of soil and spoil. This is a typical result of a particular kind of surface quarrying which involves clearing a relatively small working area spread over a broad front. Similar workings on a larger industrial scale are to be seen in this county east of Corby.

Published survey cancelled.

{18} A watching brief undertaken during groundworks for a new dwelling at The Larches identified an undated ditch.

<1> Brown, A E (ed), 1971, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies, p.42 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN13960.

<2> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1973, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1972, 8/27 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN8956.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Series). SNN77381.

<5> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP65NW4 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<7> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, (unchecked) (Archive). SNN115.

<8> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.175 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<9> Tingle M., 2003, Excavation of A "Triple Ditch System" at The Larches, Stowe Nine Churches, p.101 (checked) (Article). SNN103921.

<10> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<11> Various, 1973, Correspondence regarding excavation at The Larches, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN58984.

<12> Pegg, J, 2010, Landscape Analysis and Appraisal: Church Stowe, Northamptonshire as a Candidate Site for the Battle of Watling Street, (checked) (Document). SNN108303.

<13> 1974, DOE Archaeological Excavations 1973 (Series). SNN108940.

<14> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<15> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 22-JAN-70 (Notes). SNN111541.

<16> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1994 3159-60) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<17> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889331 & 889336 (Archive). SNN112900.

<18> Jones, S., 2004, An Archaeological Watching Brief at The Larches, Stowe Nine Churches, Church Stowe, Daventry (Report). SNN104938.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:27PM