SNN100485 - Forest Enterprise Woodlands In Northamptonshire: Whittlewood Forest And Other Woods, Archaeological Survey, Part 3

An archaeological fieldwork survey of the Whittlewood Forest region of Northamptonshire woodland in the care of Forest Enterprise was made in April 2000. The smaller woods at Blakesley (Seawell), Brampton, Hardwick, Maidford and Sywell were also investigated. Previous information from archaeological records and documentary sources was checked, and all the woodland compartments were systematically searched, where ground conditions allowed, for sites and earthworks, both the linear banks of medieval coppices and the remains of features likely to be of a different date. A summary of the history of the forest and its management is followed by a list of woods visited and the remains discovered, presented in a gazetteer. It was found that the medieval coppice boundary banks are fairly well preserved, and in some woods there are other remains. Other well preserved sites, such as medieval or earlier charcoal burning hearths, while lacking earthworks, are likely to exist but would require more intensive survey involving test pitting or similar strategy to identify. The significance of all the earthworks is discussed and recommendations suggested for their management within the framework of the Ancient Woodland Project recently launched by the Forestry Commission.