Monument record 9998 - Open Field System, Cosgrove & Furtho

The common fields of the parish were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1767. No details are known of the fields before that.

{1} The common fields of the parish were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1767. No details are known of the arrangement or the names of the fields before that date. Ridge and furrow of these fields exists on the ground or can be traced from air photos in a few places, mainly alongside the Rive Tove and the great Ouse, arranged in end-on and interlocked furlongs, many of revered-S form. Some exceptionally well-preserved ridge and furrow remains immedievaly north of the village (SP793 427), where it is cut by both the canal and Bridge Road, and to the south west of The Priory (SP795429). Another common field, a detached part of the parish whose exact location is unknown, was enclosed with the fields of Potterspury in 1775.

The common fields of the deserted village of Furtho were enclosed in about 1600 by Edward Furtho when the village itself was depopulated. Ridge and furrow of these fields can be traced on air photos around and to the south of the site of the village where it is arranged in large rectangular furlongs set at right angles to each other (centred SP773425). Other traces of ridge and furrow once part of the Furtho common fields are visible to the north east around Badger's Farm (SP777440) and south east of Knotwood Farm (SP775417).

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.34-5 site 5, p.121 site 17 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.128 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77328.

<3> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

Record last edited

May 17 2024 2:26PM