Monument record MDO3441 - Deer park, Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine

Field names on the Wootton Fitzpaine tithe map (1838) suggest the presence of a medieval deer park at Spence Farm. This is supported by a continuous line of substantial hedgebanks along part of the boundary suggested for the park.

The existence of a Medieval deer-park at Spence Farm, Wooton Fitzpaine, is suggested by three field names on the Tithe Map, White Park, Great Park, and Vineyard and Little Park (situated at SY 362965, SY 362962 and SY 360965 respectively). No documentary evidence for a park here has been found, but its existence is supported by the discovery of a continuous line of exceptionally strong headgebanks. This embankment, not entirely typical in shape or course of a deer park boundary, encloses the north, west and south sides of the suggested park, and the footpath from Guppy to Knapp Farm (possibly on the route of a Medieval road) may mark the eastern boundary. The embankment has an inner ditch in places, but nowhere has it the appearance of an original feature.
(For details, see annotated plan). <1>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1972, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1971, 173-175 (Serial). SDO71.

<1> Cantor, L M and Wilson, J D, 1972, The Medieval Deer-Parks of Dorset XI; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (Article in serial). SDO13205.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 449746 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 20 2021 12:45PM