Monument record 1266/0/5 - Possible Fifth Medieval/Post Medieval Fishpond

{1} A small wood 200m in length separates the ponds (Mons 1266/0/1-4) into two pairs; there are no indications that there was ever a fifth linking pond occupying the area.

{2} …the south western part of the monument includes the remains of two dams, formerly the sites of watermills, which were altered to create ornamental lakes; the remains of three further dams are protected in three separate areas… the SAM description clearly suggests the presence of this fifth pond.

{3} There were a number of fishponds belonging to the priory, both the series of large ponds in the valley to the west of the village, which are probably the ponds granted in the foundation charter, and must be those referred to in Robert son of Robert de Leye’s later grant in which licence was given to heighten the mill pond. The 1536 Valor includes other fishponds, and in the 1573 deed reference is made to the “stewes in the said orchard” of the priory site. These may be either the ponds in the area south-east of the priory, or in the close to the north-east of the church. However, only the large ponds in the valley continued in use.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.36 Site 4 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<2> ENGLISH HERITAGE, 1986, DOE Scheduled Ancient Monuments: Northamptonshire (Parts 5-8), (unchecked) (Schedule). SNN104787.

<3> FOARD G.R., 1982, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Report, 1982, p.4 (checked) (Typescript Report). SNN45382.

Record last edited

Sep 27 2021 11:08AM