Monument record 1266 - Canons Ashby Park (Possibly Formerly Sego Park)

{1} Eyre's map, owner Lady Dryden (2nd edition 1791). Shows two major avenues of trees, the longest is shown as containing five alignments of trees running south as far as the stream [HER 1266/0/7]; the shortest avenue comprises three alignments of trees running westwards [HER 1266/0/8]. There may also be a third avenue of two tree alignments running diagonally between the two in a south-westerly direction.

{2} The priory was granted right of free warren in 1320, and so the Old Park to the south-west of the priory may date from the C14th, and was certainly in existence by the dissolution when the “Sego Park Close” is recorded. The park which lies to the north and west of the Hall was a creation of the C17th or early C18th for it first appears in the survey of 1711, and indeed may have been laid out together with the gardens between 1708 and 1710.

{11} The park was formerly adorned with a great number of venerable oaks, but the greatest ornament at present is that of 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 which rise above them near Woodford Fields….
….this village, as we have observed, was named Ashby Canons from the priory of Black Canons who were seated in this lordship….Stephen de Leye who was Lord of The Manor in reign of Henry II was most probably the founder, as he stands first recorded in their list of benefactors. He gave them the church of Ashby….with 4 virgates of land….a park and a mill, and 26 acres of meadow with mansions and crofts….
….to these possessions they had also great privileges annexed, such as free warren in all their demense lands lying in Ashby Canons….

{12} In 1800 all the old enclosure was the property of Sir Henry Dryden Bart except a farm of 270 acres. The mansion house of the Drydens sits within a small deer park.

{13} Some material on Canons Ashby can be found among his archaeological collections which were bequeathed to Northampton Central Library.

{14} Bryant shows the park as a relatively small area, finishing along the line of the old fishponds. There are no avenues shown on his map, but it clearly shows the enclosure dividing the formal gardens of the house from the wider parkland.

{15} In the 1950s the deer park marked on the map is a much smaller area, and includes only the lower two of the large fishponds in the valley, although the dam of the uppermost pond is clearly shown as an earthwork. At this time the park still appeared to contain a herd of deer.

{17} By the end of the C19th the parkland has expanded into the area of former settlement as shown by the tree planting scheme.

{19} Dryden papers are deposited with the NRO.

{28} The bounds of 'Ashby Park' in the early/mid C19th are clearly shown on this map, and they include only the larger, lower pond from the series of ponds in the valley.

<1> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN1852.

<2> FOARD G.R., 1982, Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Report, 1982, p.4 (checked) (Typescript Report). SNN45382.

<3> TRIGGS H.I., 1902, Formal Gardens in England and Scotland, (unchecked) (Book). SNN55447.

<4> 1904, Country Life (1904), p.978-87 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN59188.

<5> Holme C., 1908, Gardens of England in Midland and Eastern Counties, p.19-21 (unchecked) (Book). SNN54875.

<6> Cecil E., 1910, History of Gardening in England, p.206 (unchecked) (Book). SNN59152.

<7> LADY ROCKLEY, 1938, Historic Gardens of England, p.106-7 (unchecked) (Book). SNN56174.

<8> 1981, Country Life (Vol.169), p.930-33 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN59151.

<9> 1981, Country Life (Vol.169), p.1026-9 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN108818.

<11> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.144+223 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<12> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.4 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<13> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, (unchecked) (Archive). SNN115.

<14> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (checked) (Map). SNN2733.

<15> Ordnance Survey, 1950, Ordnance Survey 1950s Mapping Series (SP55), (unchecked) (Map). SNN46916.

<16> Mowl T.; Hickman C., 2008, The Historic Gardens of England: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Series). SNN106082.

<17> Ordnance Survey, 1954, OS 6 Inch Mapping Series (SP55NW), (part checked) (Map). SNN57526.

<18> 1320, E36/174, (unchecked) (Document). SNN108816.

<19> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection (Northamptonshire Record Office), (unchecked) (Archive). SNN56829.

<20> 1921, Country Life (Vol.49), p.246-52 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN8769.

<21> 1921, Country Life (Vol.49), p.278-84 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN108817.

<22> Renow-Clarke C., 1989, Canons Ashby: Park and Garden Research, (unchecked) (Typescript Report). SNN108820.

<23> National Trust, 1989, Canons Ashby, (unchecked) (Guide). SNN108819.

<24> Heward J.; Taylor R., 1996, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire, p.115-26 (unchecked) (Book). SNN41757.

<25> Murray J., 1870s, Handbook for Travellers in Northamptonshire & Rutland, 1878 (unchecked) (Handbook). SNN47573.

<26> Saintsbury G., 1881, John Dryden, (unchecked) (Book). SNN72262.

<27> Gotch J.A., 1936, The Old Halls and Manor Houses of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN44101.

<28> Ordnance Survey, 1834, First Edition Ordnance Survey 1 Inch Map Series (Sheet 52), (checked) (Map). SNN281.

Record last edited

Feb 6 2024 9:22AM