1420s

In a series of ledgers kept by the Chief Steward of the Honour of Clitheroe, there are mentions of repair work at Leagram Park. This tells us that the park was being managed and maintained by the monarchy. The accounts state that the park was enclosed by a fence made of wood, which cost up to two shillings per hundred stakes. The fence was erected on top of a bank created by digging a ditch 1.2m deep and 2.4m wide. This fence and ditch boundary is called the pale.

This document is part of the accounts of the master forester of Bowland, Sir Henry Hoghton, from 1422/23, reproduced with kind permission of The National Archives (ref TNA DL 29 76 1498) and with thanks to Dr Bill Shannon

It states 'To Adam of the Swynhillhirst and Thomas of Crumbilholme for the upkeep of the palings around the park of Laythegryme both for old and new palis, shoris and raylis (Pale) of the king's timber by agreement in gross as made by the steward – 46s 8d'

It then goes on to say 'obtaining 300 raylis for repair of the launde in the park of Laythegryme – 12s per 100 – 3s. Cartage of them – 12d per 100 – 3s; to a carpenter for the making of said raylis and the setting of other old posts and raylis around said laund for thirty days at 4d a day – 10s
Fallow deer
Fallow deer