Monument record 1260 - Medieval Deer Park (Dantre or Park Meadow)

Site of medieval deer park which lies in the extreme south east of the parish against the Newnham parish boundary. It occupies about 25 hectares north east of Newnham Hill and mainly in a broad open combe facing north east. The park was first recorded in documents dating back to 1284 when it belonged to Robert Fitz Walter.

{2} The deer park occupies some 25 hectares north-east of Newnham Hill. The park is first recorded in documents in 1284 when it belonged to Robert Fitz Walter (G. Baker, Hist. of Northants., I , 1822-30, 311). Bridges {10} said that it was 'formerly enclosed by a stone wall...long demolished'. The area appears always to have been woodland and was known as Daventry Wood or The Wood (NRO, Enclosure Map, 1803) until 1816 when all the trees were removed (Baker, op. cit., 339). With in the park, near its north side, stood John of Gaunt's Castle with which it was presumably associated.

Very little remains of the park boundary although its outline is clearly defined by the parish boundary on the south and east by the A45 road on the north and by a continuous hedge-line on the west. However what may have been its original boundary wall is recorded by Edgar (Borough Hill and its History 1923, 50-1); when discussing the finds from John of Gaunt's Castle, discovered during the 19th century clay-digging, he mentions the fact that a 'boundary wall was found near the highway'. No trace now exists along the noth side, as road-widening and modern buildings have destroyed any former remains. Along the west side only a modern hedge bank is visible. However along the north and west sides, just inside the parish boundary, is a spread bank up to 5 metres wide but only 0.25 metres high. This may be the original boundary

{3} A park at Daventre belonging to Robert Fitz Walter is mentioned in 1284; as is the mansion house taken out of the park'. (Possibly SP 56 SE 8).

{6} In 1271-2 Robert fitz Walter obtained a grant of free warren, essentially a grant allowing him to set up a deer park, in his demesne lands in Daventry and Drayton (and other places). This grant was confirmed in 1329, at the Quo Warranto inquiry into the claims of Robert fitz Walter, son and heir of Walter fitz Robert who had died the preceding year. The first reference to the deer park, which lay in the extreme south-east of the parish, adjoining the parish of Newnham, dates from 1284.
The monks of Daventry priory may have hunted in the park. In July 1442 the bishop heard that all of them kept dogs and he ordered that henceforth none were to nourish hounds for hunting such as harriers or hounds that follow the scent. At some time in the later medieval period the park fell into disuse, and it was described as a coppice in the survey of 1571. The area was known as Daventry Wood or The Wood until 1816 when all the trees were removed.

{8} Structure almost obliterated. Bank is less than 1m high. Banks form dam across small stream.

{10} ….besides Burrough Hill already described, there is another hill, named Fox Hill: with several rocks of blue rag-stone very serviceable for building….the park here was foremerly enclosed with a stone wall, that hath been long demolished; the ground still retains the name of Park Meadow….

{11} "From the deer leap to the spring at the far end of the clearing". Possible reference to the presence of a deer park at this location in the AD 944 charter. The deer leap would have been on the south-western edge of Daventre deer park.

{12} Banks in Daintrey Park 'resemble those of Ponds and Canals'.

{13} One of the banks mentioned by Morton still exists (extending from SP 5795 6130 to SP 5806 6125 - see plan on SP 56 SE 2).

{14} The extent of the park was not determined and the bank mentioned by authority {13} appears to be nothing more than soil build-up in a hedgerow.

{15} As described by authority {14}.

<1> COTT. MSS CLAUD D. 12 FO.10, (unchecked) (Document). SNN47038.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 70/Site 33 (Series). SNN77381.

<3> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.311 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<5> 1803, Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN15241.

<6> Ballinger J.; Foard G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Daventry (Medieval/Post Medieval/ Industrial), Section 3.1.2.8 Deer Park & 3.81 Woodland (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100501.

<7> 1500, MAP (NRO Reference Unknown), (unchecked) (Map). SNN106401.

<8> 1765, Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN106402.

<9> 1932, Daventry Parish Field Names Map (NRO), (unchecked) (Map). SNN106403.

<10> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.41 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<11> Brown A.E.; Key T.R.; Orr C., 1977, Some Anglo-Saxon Estates and Their Boundaries in South-West Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Article). SNN43441.

<12> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p. 521 (Book). SNN10113.

<12> Ballinger J.; Foard G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Daventry (Medieval/Post Medieval/ Industrial), (unchecked) (Report). SNN106656.

<13> Edgar W., 1923, Borough Hill & Its History, p. 47; footnote & plan (Book). SNN47010.

<14> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 18-MAR-69 (Note). SNN111452.

<15> Wilson-North, R, 1986, Field Investigator's Comments, F2 WRWN 20-NOV-86 (Notes). SNN113045.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:54PM