Monument record 280 - Possible Medieval Deer Park, Halse

The site of a medieval deer park which probably lay southeast of Greatworth village. Documentation records the park in the mid 13th century and placed it in the medieval village of Halse. The fieldnames of Park Spinney and The Park are the only clues as to its location. No trace remains on the ground of any boundaries, but there are streams along most of its circuit and elsewhere low hedge banks are visible. Some ridge and furrow is also visible within this assumed park.

{1} Documentary references. In 1259 The Earl of Winchester allowed 10 does and 6 bucks to stock the park at Halse.

{2} The park probably lay to the south-east of Greatworth village. Fieldnames: Park Spinney and The Park are the only clues as to its locations.

{4} SP 560 422; Deer park(?) probably lay southeast of Greatworth village, on Boulder Clay, limestone and clay between 130 metres and 137 metres above OD. The park is ill recorded in documents, but certainly existed in the mid 13th century when it was said to be in Halse. A small copse called Park Spinney (SP 554 417) and a single field to the northeast called the Park on the Tithe Map of Greatworth 1845, provide the only clue to the location of the deer park. No trace remains on the ground of any boundaries, but there are streams along most of its circuit. Elsewhere only low hedge banks are visible. Ridge-and-furrow of normal medieval form is traceable within this assumed park.

[SMR Note: if the park was in Halse as suggested by RCHME then problems arise as this area is not within Halse township, but Greatworth. Halse lies adjacent, to the south-east. Information: G.Foard.]

<1> STEANE J.M., 1975, The Medieval Parks of Northamptonshire, p.225 (unchecked) (Article). SNN37713.

<2> 1845, Greatworth Tithe Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN9039.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1955, OS 6 Inch Mapping Series, SP54SE (unchecked) (Map). SNN60062.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.68/Site 12 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<5> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, A/P (RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926, 1215-6) (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 2:31PM