Monument record 4747 - Grafton Park

Medieval deer park which was greatly enlarged in 1532. It was enlarged again in the early 17th century but was finally disparked in 1644.

(1) Area of park in its final form is shown on map.

{3} In 1532 Henry VIII took 76 acres of fields from Grafton and 70 from Alderton for a park. By 1558 it had 500 deer in it. Early in the C17th James I enlarged it. In 1644 it was sold for £7000 and disparked. In 1660 it was reported that all the trees had been cut down.

{6} No park shown in area marked by Speed.

{8} Deer park (centred SP 740455) in the SW part of the parish, mainly on Boulder Clay, on land sloping SE between 114 m. and 99 m. above OD. It lies partly in the old parish of Grafton Regis and partly in the old parish of Alderton. There was a medieval deer park at Grafton though its exact area is unknown and it was probably very small. It was greatly enlarged in 1532 when Henry VIII ordered that 76 acres of land of the fields of Grafton and 70 acres of Alderton should be incorporated into the park. According to Leyland this new park was enclosed partly by pales and partly by a hedge. It was enlarged again in the early 17th century but was finally disparked in 1644. The area of the park in its final form is known from a map of 1720 (NRO). At this date it was contiguous with the parks of Yardley Gobion to the S and Plum Park to the W. Nothing remains on the ground of any major boundaries. Most of the park's circuit is marked by normal hedge-banks though part of the S side follows an old lane, deeply hollowed in places (SP 738453-745454). Much of the interior of the park has ridge-and-furrow and the documented incorporation of part of the fields of Grafton and Alderton within its bounds is proved by the fact that the northern boundary runs obliquely across earlier ridge-and-furrow (SP 742459 and 744461).

{9} Grafton situated on a high ascent, in an enclosed lordship famous for its meadowgrounds and pastures. Here was formerly a park, still retains that name but long ago converted to pasturage and tillage.

{10} Antient appendage to manor house or palace. 995 acres of which 1/3 in Grafton, 1/3 in Potterspury and Yardley Gobion, 1/3 in Alderton and Paulerspury. Divided into two parks - Grafton Park and Pury Park. Stocked with deer, intersected by rectilinear avenues of noble oaks - long since sacrificed and converted into farms.1641 King granted Grafton Park and Potterspury Park to be disparked for #7000 to Sir Geroge Strode and Arthur Duck.Mansion house of Woodvilles burtn by Parliament in 1645 never rebuilt, now partially modernised for Captain George Fitzroy.

{11} Deer park lying partly in the old parish of Grafton Regis and partly in the old parish of Alderton. There was a medieval deer park at Grafton though its exact area is unknown and it was probably very small. It was greatly enlarged in 1532 when Henry VIII ordered that 76 acres of land of the fields of Grafton and 70 acres of Alderton should be incorporated into the park. According to Leyland this new park was enclosed partly by pales and partly by a hedge. It was enlarged again in the early 17th century but was finally disparked in 1644. The area of the park in its final form is known from a map of 1720. At this date it was contiguous with the parks of Yardley Gobion to the south and Plum Park to the west. The documented incorporation of part of the fields of Grafton Regis and Alderton within its bounds is proved by the fact that the northern boundary runs obliquely across earlier ridge and furrow.

{?} Grafton Park enlarged by James I.

<1> 1720, Northants Record Office map of Grafton 1720, (unchecked) (Map). SNN21699.

<2> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<3> STEANE J.M., 1975, The Medieval Parks of Northamptonshire, p.225 (unchecked) (Article). SNN37713.

<4> BURT J., NOTE, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN48432.

<5> Saxton, 1576, Map of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire & Rutland, (unchecked) (Map). SNN42112.

<6> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN559.

<7> , 1990s, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN56638.

<8> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.63 Site 8 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<9> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.298 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<10> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.171 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<11> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.64 site9 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<12> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

<13> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, Air Photographs (RAF CPE/UK/1926, 3242-3, 5241-3) (Photographs). SNN104890.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:42PM