Monument record 8337 - Open Field System, Abthorpe

The surviving parts of the common fields of Abthorpe, some 130ha, were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1823.

{1} The surviving parts of the common fields of Abthorpe, some 130ha, were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1823. This area was divided into three fields, Shutlake Field to the east and south east of the village, Green Hedge Field to the south and Yant Wood Field further south east. Ridge and furrow exists on the ground or can be traced on air photos only in the former Shutlake and Green hedge Fields where it agrees exactly with the furlongs shown on the Enclosure Map. It is arranged in end-on and interlocked furlongs of reversed-S form. Ridge and furrow also survives in the area of Abthrope which had been enclosed before 1823, and in areas which were alreadt enclosed in 1726, notable along the edges of Bucknell Wood (SP655458) and in the west of the parish (SP640456 and 646456).

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.4 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> 1823, Enclosure map of Abthorpe, (unchecked) (Map). SNN42287.

<3> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.271 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<4> Hall, D and Franklin, W (eds), 2024, The Enclosure of Northamptonshire 1485-1901, p. 153-56 (Book). SNN116630.

Record last edited

Jan 31 2025 10:56AM