Monument record 3471/0/13 - Possible C18th Militia Activity Within Horton Park

Earthworks of mounds situated to the south of the lake, in Horton Park. An area of three hectares is covered by a series of irregular low mounds and shallow ditches, forming no coherent pattern. Area was part of Curtis's Meadow on maps of 1622 and 1728. No date or function can be assigned to the mounds. However, local tradition claims that they date from the mid 18th century when the then Lord Halifax had a private militia which carried out military exercises in the area.

{1} Fieldname: Curtis's Meadow.

{2} Mounds (SP 823540) lie to the S of the lake, in Horton Park. An area of some 3 hectares is covered by a series of irregular low mounds and shallow ditches, forming no coherent pattern. Though some of the features may result from indeterminate digging many of the mounds appear to have been deliberately constructed. The area was part of Curtis's Meadow on maps of 1622 and 1728. No date or function can be assigned to the mounds. Local tradition claims that they date from the mid 18th century when the then Lord Halifax had a private militia which carried out military exercises in the area.

{3} NCCAP: SP8253/003+011, SP8254/007-8+012-14+037.

<1> 1622, Map of Horton Lordship (Gunning Collection), (unchecked) (Map). SNN44682.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.68-70 Site 21 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

<3> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<4> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF CPE/UK/1926, 3013-4 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<5> RCHME, Undated, RCHME Inventory: Northamptonshire II (Central), Object number: 890003 (Archive). SNN112900.

Record last edited

May 20 2024 3:26PM