Reasons for Designation
The Upsall Estate Park Pale is a rare example of an extensively intact
park boundary which, by virtue of its association with the contemporary
castle and its historical documentation, demonstrates well the articulation
of the medieval landscape in this region. The Pale delineates an unusually
large Deerpark in an area previously thought to be almost devoid of such
surviving monuments, and illustrates an important variation in construction
techniques in response to local geological and topographical conditions.
Details
The Upsall Park Pale originally enclosed an area of some 600 acres (240ha.)
and therefore defined a large Deer Park. Of when it was constructed there is
no exact record, but it was probably during the period of rebuilding of the
associated castle in the mid/late 14th century. The estate is documented as
having been disparked in 1599, and hence was returned to agricultural use.
Other documentary sources, however, suggest that it could still be recognised
as a complete park as late as 1773. While functioning as a Deer Park, the
area would have served to provide for the estate a constant and sustainable
supply of food and perhaps timber throughout the year as well as
opportunities for hunting.
The Pale itself survives in its most complete form as an earthen bank 5m
across and 1m high, with an internal ditch with a span of about 2.5m. It is
assumed that the bank was originally surmounted by a timber palisade, thus
providing an effective stock barrier. Today the Pale survives best where it
has been incorporated into modern field boundaries, most easily seen along the
eastern edge where it is marked by a line of mature trees.
Variations on this form include less well-preserved sections of bank and
ditch, lengths of ditch only, lengths where the earthwork boundary has been
ploughed flat, one section of probable double-bank and substantial lengths
where no earthwork survives but the Park boundary is marked by a steep-sided
stream. It is these natural boundaries which have given the Park its irregular
outline compared with more regular examples with entirely artificial
boundaries.
The sections chosen for scheduling are the best-preserved lengths of pale.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
12702
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
