More information : (SU 34200966) Church Place (OE) (1)
Church Place, Ashurst, is on a sandy knoll, and owing to the
sand the works are more spread and wasted. In size it is
similar to Church Place, Denny Wait, and Studley Castle, but
the entrance is near the SE corner instead of in the middle of
the side. (2)
This square earthwork, surveyed at SU 34200966, is formed by a
broad bank which averages 0.7m high on the outer side and 0.3m
high on the inner side, with an outer ditch 0.2m deep. There
are several mutilations of both bank and ditch, but only at the
probable entrance near the SE corner is there a causewayed
ditch and a corresponding break on the inner side of the bank.
Probably a medieval stock enclosure. See ground photograph
AO/51/1/5. (3)
This earthwork almost certainly marks the site of the royal
hunting lodge at 'Houndesdoun' noted in public records (a) as
repaired in 1366. That it was a royal hunting lodge is evident
from its close resemblance in form to the proved lodge at
Studley 'Castle' and from the finding of Cornish slate on both
sites (b) (this is recorded as having been used for the roofs
at Studley). That it was the specific lodge at 'Houndesdoun' is
more than probable from its proximity to the modern 'Hounsdoun'
(SU 3511) and the absence of any other candidate. Published
resurvey (NSL 1:2500) correct. (4)
No change. 1:2500 Published plan correct. (5)
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