More information : [Cent. at SU.348051] BISHOP'S DYKE [O.E.] (1)
BISHOP'S DYKE [T.I.] (2)
"Bishop's Dyke". A low bank between two ditches of equal size.
The dyke has a clean-cut appearance as if of modern
construction or renewed in recent times. It encloses an
irregular area which looks as if it had, at one time, been
under cultivation - one would guess it to be a bank or
mediaeval enclosure connected with Beaulieu Abbey. (3)
John de Pontoise, Bishop of Winchester, obtained the Grant of
Bishops Ditch from Ed. I in 1284. It was held by Winchester
until at least 1636. Its status seems to have been that of a
Park. (4)
See F/54/155/8
The earthwork comprises a bank, averaging 1.0m. in height and
4.0m. wide, between ditches which vary greatly in their present
size. Examination of rabbit scrapes and the like show the
material of the bank to be derived from the ditches and to
consist of a loam with gravel. In general, the ditch on the
outside of the enclosure is the better preserved with the inner
more often in the marsh. The purpose of the earthwork seems to have been to enclose the valleys and slopes that together form
the major source of the riverlet known as Shepton Water. No
evidence of former cultivation was seen and it is probable that
the two major fords or 'passages' - a rather more significant
name - are contemporary with the earthwork. The evidence for a
pre-enclosure crossing-place is given in Hants 72 SE 10. No evidence was seen of any attempt to dam or block the streams
and so form the marsh.
No definite reason for the enclosure of the area can be
suggested. The status of a park would presuppose the existence
of good grazing, but that within the enclosure is poor. There
is very little open water for fish and though flights of
water-fowl were seen, there is no evidence to suggest this was
a preserve. The plan and sections drawn in authority 4 are
substantially correct. (5)
Denny Lodge, Bishop's Dyke. Scheduled 255 (6)
No change: published 1:2500 revised. (7)
No change. 1:2500 Published Surveys correct. (8)
Bishop's Dyke remains as described by the sources above. (9) |