Monument record 4539/0/1 - Medieval/ post medieval dam

Earth dam across a valley between the Church and Manor Farm. It may be a dam referred to in 1720.

{1} Dam (SP 78386652) spans the bottom of a steep-sided valley cut into Upper Lias Clay, on the N side of the village between the church and Manor Farm, at 94 m. above OD. The modern drive to Manor Farm runs along the top of a large earthen bank 15 m. wide and up to 2 m. high, apparently a former dam which once ponded water behind it to the E. If this is so it may be one of the 'large ponds.... still remaining' near the old Manor House to which Bridges referred in about 1720.

{2} Walkover Survey undertaken in 1999 revealed that a series of ponds and dams were still partially visible; it appears that these may have had some defensive purpose- to protect the hill (with the church and possibly the old manor on it)?

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.112/Site 10 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Welsh T.C., 1999, Manor Farm, Moulton; Medieval Ponds SP782665 to SP783665, (checked) (Notes). SNN101327.

<3> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.419 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

Record last edited

Apr 11 2024 10:12AM