Monument record MDO42990 - Gunpowder Works at Melbury Park, Stockwood

A gunpowder works possibly in operation from the late 16th century until the end of the Civil War. Field survey in 1995, carried out as part of the Dangerous Energy Project, identified a mill leat which may have been part of the works.

ST 584 068. In 1635 Walter Parker of Stockwood was investigated for illegally manufacturing gunpowder, which was at that date a royal monopoly. In his defence Parker replied that he had been unaware of the king's command and also stated that he had been manufacturing powder since 1588. Additionally a deed dated 1592 described a property in Stockwood as `all that powder myll messuage...'. A later deed dated 1625 described a property as `two messuages and oane mill called Powder Mill'. The mill probably operated at least until the end of the Civil War when the 1648 Minute Book of the Dorset Standing Committee noted `John Hele, and himself did in person with others, take away the County powder from Parke's mill'.

The stream at Stockwood has in the past been used to power a number of water mills situated in the bottom of the valley. To the north of the road bridge which crosses the stream are the earthwork remains of a mill leat, the mill which it served has recently been converted into a dwelling. From the surviving field evidence it is not possible to categorically state that this remaining section of leat was once part of the gunpowder works. It is, however, generally the case that mill sites become fossilised and although the activity may change the location of the mill or mills remain static. By the mid-seventeenth century it might be expected that a gunpowder works would comprise in addition to the incorporating mills other processing buildings, perhaps strung out at some distance along the valley. (1-1c)

<1> 1635, Calendar of State Papers Domestic 1635, Charles 1 (Bibliographic reference). SDO17735.

<2> Gunpowder Mills Study Group, 1989, Gunpowder Mills Study Group Newsletter. 1989, 9-10 (Serial). SDO17736.

<3> Cocroft, Wayne D, 2000, Dangerous Energy. The archaeology of gunpowder and military explosives manufacture (Monograph). SDO16942.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1078706 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 27 2025 1:49PM