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Description

Reasons for Designation A fishpond is an artificially created pool of slow moving freshwater constructed for the purpose of cultivating, breeding and storing fish to provide a constant and sustainable supply of food. They may be dug into the ground, embanked above ground level, or formed by placing a dam across a narrow valley. Groups of up to twelve ponds variously arranged in a single line or in a cluster and joined by leats have been recorded. The ponds may be of the same size or of several different sizes with each pond being stocked with different species or ages of fish. The size of the pond was related to function, with large ponds thought to have had a storage capability whilst smaller, shallower ponds were used for fish cultivation and breeding. Fishponds were maintained by a water management system which included inlet and outlet channels carrying water from a river or stream, a series of sluices set into the bottom of the dam and along the channels and leats, and an overflow leat which controlled fluctuations in water flow and prevented flooding. Buildings for use by fishermen or for the storage of equipment, and islands possibly used for fishing, wildfowl management or as shallow spawning areas, are also recorded. The tradition of constructing and using fishponds in England began during the medieval period and peaked in the 12th century. They were largely built by the wealthy sectors of society with monastic institutions and royal residences often having large and complex fishponds. The difficulties of obtaining fresh meat in the winter and the value placed on fish in terms of its protein content and as a status food may have been factors which favoured the development of fishponds and which made them so valuable. The practice of constructing fishponds declined after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century although in some areas it continued into the 17th century. Most fishponds fell out of use during the post-medieval period although some were re-used as ornamental features in 19th and early 20th century landscape parks or gardens, or as watercress beds. Documentary sources provide a wealth of information about the way fishponds were stocked and managed. The main species of fish kept were eel, tench, pickerel, bream, perch, and roach. Large quantities of fish could be supplied at a time. Once a year, probably in the spring, ponds were drained and cleared. Fishponds are widely scattered throughout England and extend into Scotland and Wales. The majority are found in central, eastern and southern parts and in areas with heavy clay soils. Fewer fishponds are found in coastal areas and parts of the country rich in natural lakes and streams where other sources of fresh fish were available. Although 17th century manuals suggest that areas of waste ground were suitable for fishponds, in practice it appears that most fishponds were located close to villages, manors or monasteries or within parks so that a watch could be kept on them to prevent poaching. Although approximately 2000 examples are recorded nationally, this is thought to be only a small proportion of those in existence in medieval times. Despite being relatively common, fishponds are important for their associations with other classes of medieval monument and in providing evidence of site economy. The remains of the fishponds associated with Scrivelsby Court survive particularly well in the form of a series of substantial earthworks. The monument has not been subject to significant disturbance with the result that the preservation of archaeological deposits will be good. In addition the waterlogged nature of the banked pond indicates that organic remains will survive well. As a result of the survival of historical documentation relating to the site, the remains are quite well understood and preserve valuable information about the development and utilization of a fishpond complex of this type in relation to a high status manorial site. Details The monument includes the remains of a fishpond complex and associated water control features in Scrivelsby Park. The monument is located 350m north of Scrivelsby Court on the southern bank of Scrivelsby Beck and includes earthworks representing a sub-rectangular pond defined by an external bank approximately 5m in width and up to 1m in height. The bank encloses an area approximately 35m by 20m within the centre of which is a small island up to 1m in height and approximately 20m by 10m. These features are considered to represent the remains of a fishpond of a type utilized in the medieval and post-medieval period, probably for carp. A small brick structure approximately 2m square situated on the south eastern corner of the external bank defining the pond covers a brick-lined water storage tank, itself fed via a land drain running southwards up the hill towards Scrivelsby Court. A linear depression up to 3m in width and 0.6m in depth which abuts the eastern side of the embanked pond and runs from it on a NNW- ESE axis for a distance of approximately 45m to a sub-circular depression is considered to represent a drainage or water control channel linking the two features. The sub-circular depression measures up to 18m north to south and 16m east to west and is approximately 0.7m in depth. A linear feature up to 4.5m in width and 0.5m in depth which runs into the SSW side of the sub- circular depression is considered to be the remains of a water channel in the form of an inlet leat. A rectilinear depression defined on its southern side by a linear bank up to 1.5m in width and 0.5m in height runs into the south eastern side of the sub-circular depression. The rectilinear feature is a maximum of 0.6m in depth and measures approximately 30m north west-south east and 16m north to south. These features are considered to represent the remains of adjoining ponds, which together with the two water channels and the large embanked pond, comprise a complex series of water control features. Documentary sources indicate that there was already a house existing on the site of Scrivelsby Court - itself largely demolished in 1955 - when the property passed to the Dymoke family by marriage in the 14th century. The location of the monument within the parkland surrounding the Court and the recorded history of the site are considered to suggest that the ponds are contemporary with Scrivelsby Court. Sources Books and journals White, A J, 'Archaeology in Lincolnshire and South Humberside, 1978' in Archaeology in Lincolnshire and South Humberside, 1978, , Vol. Vol 14, (1979) Other RCHME, NMR Complete Listing: SK 91 NE 34, RCHME, NMR Complete Listing: TF 26 NE 12,

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