Monument record MDO45088 - East Melplash Park, Netherbury

A medieval deer park referred to in an historic document from 1304. Field names such as 'Park Moor' suggest that a likely location for this park may be on the southern boundary of Netherbury parish, but just east Melplash village has also been suggested.

It was recorded in 1304 that Reginald de Remmesbury took cattle from North Bowood to his park at East Melplash, identified as the present village of Melplash (SY 4898).

The field name 'Park Moor' occurs on the S boundary of Netherbury Parish just west of the Beaminster-Bridport road (SY 480955), half a mile west of Mangerton where Reginald de Remmesbury had a manor, but nothing of significance could be found in this area, and the steep combes east of Melplash village may be a more likely location for the park. <1>

<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, 67 (Article in serial). SDO13205.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450000 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 15 2022 2:15PM