Monument record 1974/2/2 - Post Medieval Manorial Garden

Hardwick manor C16th formal garden remains

{1} Remains of the gardens of Hardwick Manor House are dated 1561-1684.

{2} The manor house at Hardwick is surrounded by earthworks. These include old quarries, medieval plough ridges, a line of fishponds and a series of ditched enclosures. The fishponds and the enclosures are probably all medieval in date and were once part of the medieval manor farm. One of the enclosures extends from the manor house garden into the adjacent field. On the ground or from the air it appears identical to its neighbours. Yet a map of 1587 shows this enclosure with an elaborate set of intersecting flower beds within it. As the manor house was rebuilt in 1567-8 the garden is probably contemporary. The house survived but the garden was abandoned by 1684, probably because the house had declined in status and become a working farm. Plate 24.

{3} Garden remains lie immediately south of the manor between the fishponds and the settlement remains. The earthworks consist of a simple rectangular enclosure extending south-west from the manor house and bounded only by a shallow ditch or scarp. The enclosure appears to coincide with the boundary of an elaborate formal knot garden which is depicted on the 1587 map of the parish. This was probably laid out in 1567/8 by Thomas Neally who appears to have altered the building at this time. Plan: Fig.70.

{4} The post medieval gardens in the village of Hardwick were probably laid out in 1567-8 by Thomas Neally.

<2> Taylor C., 1983, The Archaeology of Gardens, p.52-5 (checked) (Series). SNN41440.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.73/Site 4 (checked) (Series). SNN77380.

<4> Salzman L.F.(ed), 1937, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.175-76 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100371.

<5> 1587, Map of Hardwick, (unchecked) (Map). SNN47295.

<6> Chapman, A., 1996, Manor Farm, Hardwick, Northamptonshire Archaeological Evaluation Stage 1: Desktop Assessment, (checked) (Report). SNN72411.

Record last edited

Jan 15 2019 12:03PM