Monument record 5902 - Open Field System, Edgcote

{1} The final date of enclosure of the common fields of Edgcote is unknown. In 1502 120 acres of arable land together with another 120 of pasture were enclosed and the parish had been completely enclosed before 1720. Ridge and furrow of these fields can be seen on the ground or on air photos over large areas. On the lower, flatter ground close to the river Cherwell and the tributary stream which forms the east boundary of the parish the furlongs are rectangular and interlocked. On the sloping further south and south west, along the east and south east sides of Edgcote Hill, the furlongs radiate outwards across the contours. In the permanent pasture around Edgcote House and in the parkland to the south the ridge and furrow is very well preserved in spite of a large area of later shallow quarrying. Here high ridges with marked reversed-S curves, headlands and access-ways all still exist.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.47 site 2 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

Record last edited

Jun 5 2014 11:19AM