Monument record 1165 - Wicken Park (Possibly Formerly Whichamund Park)

The remains of a medieval deer park which was originally located west of the parish and south west of the village probably in the area of the current Wicken Park. Late 13th century but with earlier origins. It was disparked about 1651

{1} Deer park originally located west of the parish and south west of the village, on Boulder Clay at around 100 metres above OD. In the late 13th century John Fitzalan was granted licence to re-enclose his park which had fallen into decay. It was disparked about 1651. Its exact boundaries are not known but the park presumably lay in the area of the present Wicken Park although it may have extended further south and east for on the map of 1717 the names Park Meadow, Park Corner Field and The Lawn are given to this area. No definite boundary has been noted though the existing woodlands are all surrounded by large banks. This is particularly true of Park Copse.

{2} The area of the park is indicated in 1717 by field names such as Park Meadow, Park Corner Field and The Lawn.

{4} Mrs Prowse's land shown on 2nd edition dated 1791.

{5} 1290 medieval deer park, owner John Fitzalery "Whichamund Park".

{10} The parishes of Wyke-Dyve and Wyke-Hamon were united in the 27th year of reign of Henry VI. Sir Richard Wydville of Grafton had licence of free warren in demesne lands. In the 18th of Edward II licence to impark manor of Wyke-Hamon was obtained by John of Wolverton. The manor went to Sir Richard Wydville in the 35th year of the reign of Henry VI. Grant of free warren was sold to Sir John Spencer, fine levied 3rd year of Henry VIII. Purchased by Mr Hosier in 1716 who does suit and service to Duke of Grafton's court's Chief Lord of the Manor. "Mr Hoseiers house is seated in the midst of a park and was also a lodge but hath been much improved and enlarged since it came into his possession". The park was disparked by Lord Sunderland c.1651 and deer sold to Sir Peter Temple.

{11} In 1639 the area was disafforested for £200 from Whittlebury Forest, Mrs E. Prowse died 1810 age 77.

<1> 1964, Northamptonshire Past and Present (3/5), p.233 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN21624.

<2> Robert Kershaw, 1717, Map of Wicken, (unchecked) (Map). SNN20486.

<3> Hall D.N., 2000, The Historic Landscape of Whittlewood Forest: Historic Landscape Mapping, (unchecked) (Report). SNN102634.

<4> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<5> BURT J., Notes, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN44668.

<6> Saxton, 1576, Map of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire & Rutland, (unchecked) (Map). SNN42112.

<7> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN559.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1950, Ordnance Survey 1950s Mapping Series (SP73), (unchecked) (Map). SNN107863.

<9> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.172/fig 125/Site 6 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<10> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.329 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<11> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN10400.

<12> WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY, 2008, Wicken, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results, p.4 (checked) (Report). SNN106395.

<13> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

<14> Hall D.N., 2001, Northamptonshire Woodland Survey Archive, (part checked) (Digital archive). SNN109590.

<15> Hall D.N., 2000, Forest Enterprise Woodlands In Northamptonshire: Whittlewood Forest And Other Woods, Archaeological Survey, Part 3, (unchecked) (Report). SNN100485.

<16> Ordnance Survey, Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN57684.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 3:06PM