The Black Hedge
From Lacey Green History
click Ancient Boundaries & Routes for similar research
Research by Ian Kelloway
The Black Hedge. An extract from Ian Kelloways article on the prehistory of Princes Risborough and around reads -
"The Black Hedge is one of oldest recorded boundaries in England dating back to 903 AD which describes a Saxon estate. This boundary is the Monks Risborough Ecclesiastical Parish boundary. From 1894 to 1933 it was also the Monks Risborough civil parish boundary, but the civil parish was incorporated with Princes Risborough in 1933."
Research by Gos Home.
The Black Hedge. By Gos Home of Lily Farm. (Letter to the Editor of Hallmark)
The Black Hedge which runs along the north eastern border of our home, Lily Farm, Pink Lane, past both its garden and our two fields bordering Monkton Wood. We have always understood that the word “Black” explains that it was originally a blackthorn hedge. Very little blackthorn is left because the beech trees of Hampden Estate have subsequently overawed it.
Anglow Saxon Record
My late father, Gordon Home FSA.Scot, artist and topographical author, states in his book, illustrated by his own line drawings. “Through the Chilterns to the Fens”, J.M.Dent 1925, that the Black Hedge was the original parish boundary separating the parishes of Princes and Monks Risborough and that it was recorded in the Anglo Saxon Charter in about AD 975. This would make it one of the earliest recorded hedges in England.
Still Evident
Today the mound on which the blackthorns were planted and the ditch from which the soil was extracted is still in evidence all along the footpath that runs from Iron Beech Cottage, on the edge of Grymsdyke, to the boundary of Speen. It is remarkable that the mound and ditch are still so well preserved.
Beating the Bounds
We believe we are correct in stating that the parish boundary is, from time to time, “beaten” in the traditional way. If not, perhaps it should be, to create yet greater awareness locally.
Note by Joan West. See 1989 Beating the Bounds