The Pound Alan Payne August 2026
The Pound shown as WALL in the Allen 1626 map Courtesy Wiltshire History Centre
We all know that the Pound area next to Miller’s is an ancient feature of the parish. It is correctly located with the right name but it has been greatly altered from the appearance of the medieval animal compound.
A medieval animal pound was an enclosure for keeping stray animals until they could be picked up by their owners. It might seem strange to have sheep or cattle wandering about the roads in modern times, but the medieval trackways were for herding animals as well as pedestrian passage. The use of common land for grazing animals particularly to clear stubble allowed animals to wander freely without fencing, which afforded the possibility of straying.
We can see the sort of use for which the medieval Pound would be relevant. In an effort to reduce inflation in the Tudor and Stuart periods price capping was introduced and transgressors prosecuted: Cornelius Marshe and William Rynnell, both of Boxe, for [buying animals at more than the stipulated price] live oxen at £10, steers at £7, runts at £6, cows at £4, heifers at £3 and sheep at 20 shillings and selling them within five weeks at Westminster. 27 August 1612.[1]
A medieval animal pound was an enclosure for keeping stray animals until they could be picked up by their owners. It might seem strange to have sheep or cattle wandering about the roads in modern times, but the medieval trackways were for herding animals as well as pedestrian passage. The use of common land for grazing animals particularly to clear stubble allowed animals to wander freely without fencing, which afforded the possibility of straying.
We can see the sort of use for which the medieval Pound would be relevant. In an effort to reduce inflation in the Tudor and Stuart periods price capping was introduced and transgressors prosecuted: Cornelius Marshe and William Rynnell, both of Boxe, for [buying animals at more than the stipulated price] live oxen at £10, steers at £7, runts at £6, cows at £4, heifers at £3 and sheep at 20 shillings and selling them within five weeks at Westminster. 27 August 1612.[1]
Walled Area, 1626
The Allen maps of 1626 and 1630 clearly identify Box Manor House with its winnowing barn to the west and then an area which appears to be marked WALL, presumably a walled enclosure. This confirms that Box Pound was a manorial enclosure and not built by the parish or the village. Whilst the Speke family lived at Hazelbury Manor, it was their leading tenant who occupied Box Manor House. The tenant would have been responsible for collecting a fine for the release of stray animals on behalf of the lord. The area contained within the walls appears to be large as the numbers on the structure appear to say 3 roods, 2 perches (approaching an acre in size).
Most pounds were unroofed but the map shows a roofed property on the south side of the enclosure. We might imagine that the tenant employed someone to do the work of feeding and watering animals. That person often attracted the name pound-keeper or Pinfold (an alterative to the word Pound). These structures may have been recently built or restored by the Speke family to demonstrate their importance as new lords of the manor. The Inquisition of the will of Hugh Speke doesn’t mention that he acquired the Pound area specifically, implying that it was part of his purchase of the lordship of Box.
Georgian and Victorian Use
It is likely that the use of the Pound diminished in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as farming plots in the village were enclosed and people took greater care of their animals. At the same time, the use of common open field grazing also reduced.
Clare Higgens' review of parochial records talked of its purpose to hold debtors’ livestock assets until liabilities were paid.[2] She gave details of the size of fines for breaching the Pound site of £5 in the mid-1800s (increased to £20 in 1967).
The 1840 Tithe Apportionment lets us see the area of the Pound in 1840. Plot 187 was the Queen’s Head pub and garden owned by William North; 187a was a barn and stables yard occupied by Thomas Shell; 187b a Wesleyan Chapel occupied by Catherine Rowe; 187d was a house and garden occupied by farmer Watson (although not named this is Box Manor House). This means that the Pound was plot 187c, by then an insignificant and unwanted plot of wasteland.
The Allen maps of 1626 and 1630 clearly identify Box Manor House with its winnowing barn to the west and then an area which appears to be marked WALL, presumably a walled enclosure. This confirms that Box Pound was a manorial enclosure and not built by the parish or the village. Whilst the Speke family lived at Hazelbury Manor, it was their leading tenant who occupied Box Manor House. The tenant would have been responsible for collecting a fine for the release of stray animals on behalf of the lord. The area contained within the walls appears to be large as the numbers on the structure appear to say 3 roods, 2 perches (approaching an acre in size).
Most pounds were unroofed but the map shows a roofed property on the south side of the enclosure. We might imagine that the tenant employed someone to do the work of feeding and watering animals. That person often attracted the name pound-keeper or Pinfold (an alterative to the word Pound). These structures may have been recently built or restored by the Speke family to demonstrate their importance as new lords of the manor. The Inquisition of the will of Hugh Speke doesn’t mention that he acquired the Pound area specifically, implying that it was part of his purchase of the lordship of Box.
Georgian and Victorian Use
It is likely that the use of the Pound diminished in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as farming plots in the village were enclosed and people took greater care of their animals. At the same time, the use of common open field grazing also reduced.
Clare Higgens' review of parochial records talked of its purpose to hold debtors’ livestock assets until liabilities were paid.[2] She gave details of the size of fines for breaching the Pound site of £5 in the mid-1800s (increased to £20 in 1967).
The 1840 Tithe Apportionment lets us see the area of the Pound in 1840. Plot 187 was the Queen’s Head pub and garden owned by William North; 187a was a barn and stables yard occupied by Thomas Shell; 187b a Wesleyan Chapel occupied by Catherine Rowe; 187d was a house and garden occupied by farmer Watson (although not named this is Box Manor House). This means that the Pound was plot 187c, by then an insignificant and unwanted plot of wasteland.
The area in 1840 (courtesy Know Your Place)
Twentieth Century Repairs
The parish council took over responsibility for maintaining the site from the lord of the manor after 1895. In April 1899 the area was reported as in a bad state, without an effective entrance gate which was ordered to be re-hung.[3] By 1904 that had apparently taken place but, unfortunately, the key to the gate had been lost. A new lock and key had to be ordered as a replacement. One proposal was that the area be used as a store yard for cans and tins, which were increasingly popular for food containers.[4]
The parish council took over responsibility for maintaining the site from the lord of the manor after 1895. In April 1899 the area was reported as in a bad state, without an effective entrance gate which was ordered to be re-hung.[3] By 1904 that had apparently taken place but, unfortunately, the key to the gate had been lost. A new lock and key had to be ordered as a replacement. One proposal was that the area be used as a store yard for cans and tins, which were increasingly popular for food containers.[4]
The wall of the Pound just visible in this Edwardian postcard of 1910s (courtesy Box Parish Council)
There are many calls for the Box Pound to be repaired in the twentieth century. In 1923 there were calls by the parish council that the County authority should put it in order, repair the gate, and put a lock on it.[5] But when the site was locked up repairs to adjoining premises required permission.[6]
By 1930 the external wall was in need of repair and a tenant had taken over the site, possibly for residential occupation.[7] In 1949 James Browning drew the council’s attention to the urgency of the repair of the Pound House, which was falling into rack and ruin.[8] There was a problem because no one knew who owned the area and the matter needed to be referred to other authorities.[9] Cecil Lambert thought that the area could be made a very pleasant little corner, perhaps with seats for mothers with prams. An enclosure wall and gates remained but the central area was just a gravel space.
By 1930 the external wall was in need of repair and a tenant had taken over the site, possibly for residential occupation.[7] In 1949 James Browning drew the council’s attention to the urgency of the repair of the Pound House, which was falling into rack and ruin.[8] There was a problem because no one knew who owned the area and the matter needed to be referred to other authorities.[9] Cecil Lambert thought that the area could be made a very pleasant little corner, perhaps with seats for mothers with prams. An enclosure wall and gates remained but the central area was just a gravel space.
The site was overgrown in the mid-1900s (courtesy John Harris)
There were still issues with the ownership of the Pound and who should pay for maintenance. By 1950 the front wall of the site was becoming unstable and the inside overgrown with bushes.[10] To try to resolve issues the parish council requested that the County declare the area an open space in 1961.[11] Some feared that opening the space would encourage nuisance behaviour. Fortunately, the good news was that Harry Miller in the coach garage next door agreed to look after the area.[12]
With no plans on which to base any reconstruction, Bob and Charlie Hancock reconfigured the area to its present layout about 1970 to commemorate the location rather than the actual appearance. Bob wrote: The proper level for the Box Pound was level with the main road, the London Road, but had been filled with soil and manure for a considerable number of years by the Miller family, who lived next door. Phil Lambert, the councillor, had this idea that, rather than dig all the soil out, why not landscape it at the level it now is and have steps up into it? So, we did, with slabs and gravel, lowering the wall to the left, then planting it out.[13]
With no plans on which to base any reconstruction, Bob and Charlie Hancock reconfigured the area to its present layout about 1970 to commemorate the location rather than the actual appearance. Bob wrote: The proper level for the Box Pound was level with the main road, the London Road, but had been filled with soil and manure for a considerable number of years by the Miller family, who lived next door. Phil Lambert, the councillor, had this idea that, rather than dig all the soil out, why not landscape it at the level it now is and have steps up into it? So, we did, with slabs and gravel, lowering the wall to the left, then planting it out.[13]
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Box Parish Pound in 2026 (courtesy Carol Payne)
Ditteridge Pound
Ditteridge had its own Pound which existed opposite the church. This still existed in 1904 when it required an inspection.[14] It is likely that other manorial areas locally also had a Pound.
Ditteridge had its own Pound which existed opposite the church. This still existed in 1904 when it required an inspection.[14] It is likely that other manorial areas locally also had a Pound.
The Pound seen in the foreground (courtesy Box Parish Council)
Other Local Pounds
An animal pound existed in the field opposite Chapel Plaister. As in Ditteridge, this seems to be associated with the church rather than the lord of the manor.
An animal pound existed in the field opposite Chapel Plaister. As in Ditteridge, this seems to be associated with the church rather than the lord of the manor.
Conclusion
It would be wonderful if ancient buildings could be restored to an old original plan. That is rarely possible and most historic structures are rebuilt several times over their lifespan. If that isn’t possible, the next best result is to remember the location of these structures and record their sites. That is what we have with the Box Pound.
It would be wonderful if ancient buildings could be restored to an old original plan. That is rarely possible and most historic structures are rebuilt several times over their lifespan. If that isn’t possible, the next best result is to remember the location of these structures and record their sites. That is what we have with the Box Pound.
References
[1] NJ Williams, Tradesmen in Early Stuart Wiltshire, Wiltshire Record Society, 1960, p.72
[2] Clare Higgens, Box Wiltshire: An Intimate History, 1985, The Downland Press, p.91-92
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 21 July 1961
[4] The Wiltshire Telegraph, 11 June 1904
[5] The Wiltshire Times, 14 July 1923
[6] The Wiltshire News, 16 July 1926
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 19 July 1930
[8] The Wiltshire News, 23 and 24 December 1949
[9] The Wiltshire News, 24 March 1950
[10] The Wiltshire Times, 25 March 1950
[11] The Wiltshire Times, 22 September 1961
[12] The Wiltshire Times, 21 July 1961
[13] Bob Hancock, A Wiltshire Lad, 2019, p.112
[14] The Wiltshire Times, 21 July 1961
[1] NJ Williams, Tradesmen in Early Stuart Wiltshire, Wiltshire Record Society, 1960, p.72
[2] Clare Higgens, Box Wiltshire: An Intimate History, 1985, The Downland Press, p.91-92
[3] The Wiltshire Times, 21 July 1961
[4] The Wiltshire Telegraph, 11 June 1904
[5] The Wiltshire Times, 14 July 1923
[6] The Wiltshire News, 16 July 1926
[7] The Wiltshire Times, 19 July 1930
[8] The Wiltshire News, 23 and 24 December 1949
[9] The Wiltshire News, 24 March 1950
[10] The Wiltshire Times, 25 March 1950
[11] The Wiltshire Times, 22 September 1961
[12] The Wiltshire Times, 21 July 1961
[13] Bob Hancock, A Wiltshire Lad, 2019, p.112
[14] The Wiltshire Times, 21 July 1961