Monument record 3409 - Open Field System, Hackleton

The common fields of the old parishes of Hackleton and Piddington were apparently enclosed in 1783, by Act of Parliament of 1782.

{1} The common fields of the old parishes of Hackleton and Piddington were apparently enclosed in 1783, by Act of Parliament of 1782. Ridge-and-furrow of these fields can be traced over most of the N. half of the old parish, and even where it no longer exists the old headlands can still be seen as low ridges up to 600 m. long (e.g. at SP 814555). The ridge-and-furrow is arranged in end-on and interlocked furlongs, with a marked tendency for the ridges to run at right-angles to the numerous small streams in the area. On the map of 1788, which covers only the N. part of the parish, the recently enclosed strips, access-ways and headlands are depicted, and these agree exactly with what remains on the ground or is visible on air photographs. The S. part of the parish is largely occupied by woodland, part of the old Salcey Forest, and no ridge-and-furrow has been noted here, except in the extreme S.E. (at SP 814517) where there is a long strip of arable land alongside the forest edge. Fields in this area called the Assarts (NRO, Tithe Map of Piddington, 1851) indicate medieval clearance, and certainly 460 acres of ancient assarts were listed in Piddington in 1635.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.70-71 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77380.

Record last edited

Jul 21 2026 12:53PM