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Cheshire Historic Environment RecordPrintable version | About Cheshire Historic Environment Record
Name:Shotwick Park
SMR Number:2016/1/0
Type of record:Monument
Map Sheet:SJ37SE
Parish:SHOTWICK PARK, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER

Summary

Royal Park of Shotwick (also referred to as Burnilhaye Park in Chamberlain's accounts), was formed out of the manor of Castle Shotwick in 1327, the first year of the reign of Edward III. Created as a royal game preserve it was provided with a boundary consisting of a ditch and fence (palings), repairs to both of which are recorded for the years 1357 and 1601. It was a valuable timber resource, large quantities of which were used in repairs to Beaumaris Castle in 1422. It passed out of royal ownership in the reign of Charles II when it was taken over by the Wilbraham family.

Original park boundary still exists as a bank and ditch in some places and in the lines of hedgerows elsewhere. A section of the bank and ditch boundary, to the north of Woodbank Lane, was excavated in 1996. The medieval bank was identified but later re-cutting of the ditch had removed evidence of the earlier medieval ditch.

Deer Parks were used to house deer, which were an important source of fresh meat. A royal licence was required to create a park and only the very wealthiest could afford to create one. The deer were kept in a fenced and ditched enclosure and could be released to allow hunting. Some parks had a system of ditches and banks known as deer leaps which allowed wild deer (the monarch’s property) to enter the park but not escape, so increasing the herd.

Deer Parks were expensive to maintain and many were disparked from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Those that were retained reinforced the high status of their owners. The widespread park landscaping of the 18th century often incorporated surviving deer parks. These new gardens were a contrast to the formal gardens of previous centuries with their carefully designed "natural" appearance.

Monument Types

  • BOUNDARY BANK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BOUNDARY DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • DEER PARK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TRACKWAY (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (Yes) CH13962: Shotwick Medieval Deer Park Pale
  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (Yes) CH14368: Shotwick Medieval Deer Park Pale
  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (Yes) CH14412: Shotwick Medieval Deer Park Pale
  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (Yes) CH14413: Shotwick Medieval Deer Park Pale
  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (Yes) CH14414: Shotwick Medieval Deer Park Pale
  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (Yes) CH14415: Shotwick Medieval Deer Park Pale
  • Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England (Yes) CH14416: Shotwick Medieval Deer Park Pale

Related records

2016/1/8Related to: Earthworks North of Parkgate House Farm (Monument)
2016/1/7Related to: Earthworks North-west of Shotwick Castle (Monument)
2016/1/5Related to: Earthworks South of Castle Farm (Monument)
2016/1/6Related to: Fields to the East of Shotwicklodge Farm (Monument)
2016/1/4Related to: Fields to the South of Shotwicklodge Farm (Monument)
2016/2/0Related to: Shotwick Park Lodge (Monument)
2017Related to: The Royal Wood of Saughall or King's Wood (Monument)

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