Monument record 2835/0/1 - Possible Medieval/Post Medieval Ponds (Morphed Aerial Archaeology Interpretation)

Earthwork: Non-destructive fieldwork

{2} Some other earthworks remain on the ground however, in the area to the west and south-west of the church, and may have been associated with the earlier village. The best preserved are in the valley bottom to the south-west where there are three ponds. The north-westernmost is a small oval embanked pond 1.5m deep. The middle one is much larger, roughly rectangular and cut back into the valley side with a large bank between it and the stream. At its north-west end it turns and fades into a marshy area, the source of the water which once filled it. Below this pond and separated from it by a broad dam 2m high there is a small rectangular depression, again cut back into the hillside on the north-east and with a bank on the south-east. Earthwork plan shows two of the three ponds (marked 'b' on plan).

{3}{4} A series of up to four small ponds are shown here in 1580. The two easternmost appear to have formed one large pond by 1587, the western two are not represented, but a further large pond has been created just west of the post medieval deer park pale.

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

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.105-7 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Thomas Treswell, 1580, The Survey of The Manor of Holdenby in The County of Northampton, made in 1580 (Finch-Hatton), (unchecked) (Map). SNN18155.

<4> Thomas Treswell, 1587, The Survey of The Manor of Holdenby made in 1587 (Finch-Hatton), (unchecked) (Map). SNN18147.

Record last edited

Aug 29 2012 1:12PM