Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

The Old Pale
Hob Uid: 71342
Location : Cheshire West and Chester Delamere and Oakmere
Grid Ref : SJ5470069400
Summary : Medieval deer enclosure in the royal Forest of Delamere, constructed in 1237. The boundaries of the enclosure were replicated by post-medieval field boundaries and can still be identified, although no trace of the pale itself survives on the surface.
More information : [NAME SJ 5469] The Old Pale [T.I.] (1) The Old Pale, Delamere Forest was enclosed in 1237. (2) Mention is made of the Old Pale in 1652, and the Old Pale Wall (?) then in existence. (3) [Extent shown on plan, scale 1" = 10 chains P.R.O. ref. M.P. B.22] (4) No trace of a Park Boundary was found in the vicinity of the course indicated on SJ 56 NE and SJ 57 SE (5) In May 2000, English Heritage carried out a desk-top assessment and Level 1 survey of Old Pale Farm. The boundary of The Old Pale is shown on numerous plans in addition to Source 4, the earliest dating to 1687 (6a). The line of the boundary was replicated by post-medieval field boundaries, and can still be identified. Source 6 is correct in stating that there is no other trace of the pale surviving on the surface. Within The Old Pale lay an administrative centre and hunting lodge, known as The Chamber in the Forest (SJ 56 NE 2) and a possible watering pond for the deer (SJ 56 NW 32). The New Pale (SJ 57 SW 8) was constructed in the 17thC. A written report is available from the NMR archive. (6)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" 1954.
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Trans. Lancs. & Cheshire A.S. Vol.20, 1902, p.15. (W. Harrison)
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Cheshire Sheaf. 3rd Series. Vol 33, 1938, p.81 (R.Stewart-Brown)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : Plan of Delamere Forest, 1819, (W.Heaton)
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 TPW 03-OCT-61
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : English Heritage: Old Pale Farm Survey
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Source Number : 6A
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Source details : Map of 1687 by W Heyworth et al. PRO ref: MR 640
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date : 1237
Monument Type : Park Pale, Deer Park, Deer Pound, Enclosure
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1799
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Park Pale, Deer Park, Deer Pound, Enclosure
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SJ 56 NW 15
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Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1961-10-03
End Date : 1961-10-03

Historic England Research Records

The Old Pale