Monument record 4332/0/1 - Possible Medieval/Post Medieval Fishpond

A fishpond lies south-west of the village. The pond is rectangular, 85 metres long and 60 metres wide, lying on the west side of a small stream. The gently sloping valley side has been cut away to give the pond a level bottom on which three slight mounds above 10 metres in diameter are still evident. These mounds must have been islands or, more likely, shallow places in the pond, possibly for the benefit of waterfowl. The water was retained on the south side by a massive earthen bank which still stands more than 1.5 metres high and 12 metres across. There is now a modern breach in it. The pond is also embanked along the whole length of the east side and for a small section of the west side. In the north-east corner, where the stream must originally have fed the pond, is a delta-like feature which may be the result of later activity. The surrounding ridge-and-furrow, especailly on the west appears to be later than the pond.

{2}Fishpond (SP 745766), lies S.W. of the village on Upper Lias Clay at 120 m. above OD. The pond is rectangular, 85 m. long and 60 m. Wide, lying on the W. side of a small stream. The gently sloping valley side has been cut away to give the pond a level bottom on which three slight mounds above 10 m. in diam. Are still discrenible. These mounds must have been islands or, more likely, shallow places in the pond, possibly for the benefit of waterfowl. The water was retained on the S. by a massive earthen bank which still stands more than 1.5 m. high and 12 m. across. There is now a modern breach in it. The pond is also embanked along the whole lnegth of the E. side and for a small section of the W. side. In the N.E. corner, where the stream must originally have fed the pond, is a delta-like feature which may be the result of later activity. The surrounding ridge-and-furrow, especailly on the W. appears to be later than the pond.

{3} Plan at 1:2500.

{5} Aerial photo: NCCAP:SP7476/001-6.

{6} The fish pond is now dry. No documentary reference to it could be found, but it was probably associated with Maidwell Hall (SP 77 NW1). The purpose of the low circular platforms in the pond is obscure.
Published survey (25" 1899) revised. (2)

{7} Report of 21.8.62 still applicable. Survey correct on 1:2500 published plan 1966.

<1> STEANE J.M., 1970, The Medieval Fishponds of Northamptonshire, p.307 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN4943.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.136 Site 14 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP77NW2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Taylor P., 1992, Fishponds Report 1992, (checked) (Report). SNN1339.

<5> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, Used with NMR & CUCAP collections (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<6> Quinnell, N V, 1962, Field Investigators Comments, F1 NVQ 21-AUG-1962 (Note). SNN114729.

<7> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F2 FDC 04-FEB-1969 (Notes). SNN112950.

<8> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP 106G/UK/636 4189-90) (Photographs). SNN104890.

<9> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), 889811 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2025 7:19PM