Monument record 1266/0/2 - Medieval Fishpond & Later Ornamental Pond

Earthworks in the grounds of Canons Ashby House. These include a Medieval hollow way which runs southwest from the southwest end of the formal gardens towards a dam. The dam is now retained on its northern side by a brick and stone wall of 18th century and later date but is believed to have originated in the Medieval period to provide water-power for milling. This dam is the lowest in a series of five dams which extend up the valley north westward from the Eydon Road. The shape of the two lower ponds, which are still water-filled and of the dams behind them, dates from the late 18th century when they were altered to form ornamental lakes within the park at Canons Ashby House. The three upper ponds are now only partly water-filled and lie within a plantation. The full flight of five ponds are thought to be those documented during the mid 12th century when Canons Ashby Priory was established. A water mill was also documented during the 19th century. The earthworks were surveyed by RCHME field staff in 1992. In addition to the dams being scheduled as ancient monuments, a sample of the deposits on the floor or each pond is included within the scheduling.

{1} Fishponds. One of four ponds each covering some 3 hectares and each formed by the construction of a simple earthen dam up to 2m high across the valley, with the exception of the lower southernmost one, which is supported by a large dam with a dressed stone revetment probably of C18th or C19th date. The ponds are separated into two pairs by a small wood. The two lower ponds are still water-filled, but the uppermost pair are now marshy depressions within a plantation. It is not clear whether all the ponds are contemporary in origin, nor which, if any, may have been constructed as ornamental features within the landscape parkland. They may all have originated as medieval fishponds before having an ornamental value.

{2} The park was formerly adorned with a great number of venerable oaks, but the greatest ornament at present is four large fish-ponds, at the head of each other containing some of them 8 acres of ground. These ponds are supplied by several small springs rising near Woodford Fields.

{3} The second to lowest fishpond is shown in 1834, but clearly sits outside the park at this time. It is called "The Pool". Unlike the lower pond, it appears to retain its naturalistic form.

{5} Four ponds (only two of which are shown on Plan 1) lie in a shallow valley west of Canons ashby House and are probably those documented in the mid C12th foundation charter for the priory. Each pond covers approximately 3ha, and is formed by the construction of simple dams. The ponds form two pairs, separated by a 200m long stretch of woodland. The lower pair still hold water and were modified as landscape features by the Dryden family.

{6} 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, and of these the lower two were modified as landscape features associated with the Dryden mansion.

<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> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.223 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1834, First Edition Ordnance Survey 1 Inch Map Series (Sheet 52), (checked) (Map). SNN281.

<4> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, (unchecked) (Archive). SNN115.

<5> RCHME, 1992, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire: An archaeological survey by the RCHME, December 1992, p.18+fig.1 (checked) (Report). SNN71599.

<6> FOARD G.R., 1982, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Report, 1982, p.4 (checked) (Typescript Report). SNN45382.

Record last edited

Jun 20 2024 9:42AM