Medieval hunting lodge in Churchplace Inclosure

Reasons for Designation

The lodge at Churchplace survives in good condition with little significant disturbance. Surviving archaeological deposits will provide information about the construction, layout and use of the lodge. They will also provide an insight into its economy and the possible factors leading to its eventual decline and abandonment. The location of the lodge in close proximity to a footpath gives it added significance as a potential public amenity.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a medieval hunting lodge situated on the western slopes of a sandy ridge within Churchplace Inclosure in the New Forest. The location of the lodge is indicated by earthwork banks and an external ditch which enclose a sub-rectangular raised platform measuring approximately 36m square. The banks are up to 6m in width and approximately 0.7m in height. An external ditch measuring a maximum of 4m in width and up to 0.3m in depth is visible on the eastern, western and southern sides. A break in the eastern bank and ditch up to 7.5m in width probably indicates the site of the original entrance. Documents record that Edward III spent time in the New Forest during the summer of 1366, for which reason repairs were made to several lodges, one of which was referred to as Houndesdoun. The occurrence of a similar name approximately 2km north east of Churchplace and the similarity of the earthworks to other known lodge sites suggest that Houndesdoun and Churchplace refer to the same location. The presence of structures within the enclosure have been confirmed by finds of slate, which further corroborates the site as being that of a lodge, several New Forest examples of which are known to have had slate roofs.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

30270

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Sumner, H, The Ancient Earthworks of the New Forest, (1917)
Colvin, H M, The History of the King's Works, (1963)
Hampshire County Council, , The Church Place Earthworks, ()

Other
Hampshire County Council, SU 30 NW 51A,

End of official list entry

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