Monument record 4341/0/28 - Possible Medieval/Post Medieval Pond, Kelmarsh

Earthworks of a triangular feature, sometimes interpreted as a Civil War sconce, or gun emplacement, but more likely to be the remains of a mutilated fishpond.

{1} Civil War sconce No.2 lies east of the A508 and was presumably built to guard the Northampton to Market Harborough Road as it faces up-hill towards Northampton, with three raised gun positions facing the road and protected by a 10ft high semi-circular earthwork behind them.

{2} There is no magnetic response over this substantial earthwork indicative of an occupation site or a fortified artillery position: the quiet response is more closely analogous with sedimentary build-up from areas of impounded water.

{4} A triangular feature, bounded by banks up to 1.5m high, broken by several gaps. This may be a mutilated fishpond. It is unlikely to be a C17th Civil War fortification as has sometimes been claimed.

<1> BROWN G., 1975, Kelmarsh and Its Deserted Medieval Village, p.22 (unchecked) (Report). SNN43370.

<2> Martin, L. & Payne, A., 2005, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire: Report on Geophysical Survey May and August 2005, p.7 (unchecked) (Report). SNN105412.

<3> Taylor C.C., 2000, Kelmarsh Estate Report, p.10 (unchecked) (Report). SNN101314.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.112 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

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

Record last edited

Jun 19 2025 9:10AM