Monument record MDO48025 - Medieval deer park, Askerswell

It has been suggested that an area east of the village may have been the site of a medieval deer park because field names with 'park' elements appear in the Tithe Apportionment. Site visits have found no evidence to support this suggestion, and it is now thought to be unlikely.

Wilson, J D, The Medieval Deer-Parks of Dorset XIII. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society 95, 49 (Article in serial). SDO20720.

‘ASKERSWELL. [p.19]. Askerswell village lies in a steeply-sided valley between the south western outlier of Eggardon Hill to the north and Chilcombe Hill to the south. The Tithe Apportionment names three fields immediately east of the village as “Parks”, “Great Parks” and “Little Parks”, and this suggested that a mediaeval park might have occupied part of the valley which runs eastwards from the village and eventually turns northwards, as Coombe Bottom, towards Eggardon. On this account Askerswell was added to the list of possible park sites. But examination of the area failed to discover any recognisable park earthworks. The very close proximity of the “Park” fields to the village, the local field pattern, the fact that a well-established lane separates two the relevant fields, and in short the general topography of the area make it appear unlikely that there was a medieval park here.’

Record last edited

Jul 4 2024 2:53PM