Monument record 4743 - Medieval Deer Park (Stokepark Wood)

Deer park enclosed in 1270 and incorporated into a landscape park for Stoke Park House during the 18th century.

{1} Documentary source: deer park, created in 1270 when Pagan de Chatworth enclosed the wood. In 1594 it consisted of 91 forest acres, 108 statute acres and 53 acres of coppice.

{2} Deer Park (centred SP 736492) enclosed in 1270 by Pagan de Chaworth. Its later history is unknown, but it was still emparked in the 16th century. Became part of Stoke Bruerne Park (the landscape park of Stoke House) in the 18th century. The present Stokepark Wood occupies much the same area as the original deerpark. A large bank can be traced on the north, northwest, west and south sides of Stoke Park Wood, though it is now much altered and mutilated. In some places it only remains as a scarp. The bank has been destroyed on the north east side where a strip of land was later cleared, and has been replaced by a low hedge bank and external ditch.

{5} Some sections of the large, medieval park bank survive on the north-west, west, south and east sides of the wood, which is densely planted with deciduous and coniferous species.

<1> STEANE J.M., 1975, The Medieval Parks of Northamptonshire, p.231 (unchecked) (Article). SNN37713.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.138 Site 8 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<3> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

<4> Historic England, STOKE PARK, STOKE BRUERNE, BF061894 (Archive). SNN115082.

<5> English Heritage, 1991, Register of Parks & Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England (1991, Northamptonshire), (checked) (Report). SNN1167.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:42PM