Monument record 8440 - Open Field System, Walgrave

The common fields of the parish were enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1776. However, Bridges states that there were, in the 17th century, 100 acres of old enclosures in the parish as well as 9 yardlands of new enclosures. This suggests that enclosure took place piecemeal over a long period.

{2} The common fields of the parish were enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1776. However, Bridges states that there were, in the 17th century, 100 acres of old enclosures in the parish as well as 9 yardlands of new enclosures. This suggests that enclosure took place piecemeal over a long period.
Ridge and furrow of these fields exists on the ground or can be traced on air photographs over most of the parish. Almost the entire pattern is recoverable. Most of it is arranged in end-on furlongs, usually of reversed-S form, lying at right angles to the contours along the valley sides. Where ridge-and-furrow survives two features constantly recur. One is the over-ploughing of headlands between end-on furlongs to form abnormally long furlongs. This produces a marked rise in the ridges, often accompanied by a sharp change of direction or a double reveresed-Scurve. The other feature is the apparent shortening of furlongs so that rather battered and worn-down ridges of an earlier period extend beyond the normal terminations of the ridges. Elsewhere headlands still survive as broad ridges up to 800m long and 20m wide.
Some of the end-on furlongs in the parish which are now partially destroyed by modern ploughing show what appear to be earlier ditch systems under the later headlands. For example near Walgrave Lodge the central section of a headland, now ploughed away, has a ditch under it and on the same alignment. This may be part of an earlier field system.
Ridge and furrow also exists in what appear to have been old enclosures prior to the general enclosure of the parish. The ridge and furrow here is indistinguishable from that elsewhere in the parish. Ridge and furrow immediately south of the village has been partly destroyed by former house-sites.

<1> Hollowell S., 1999, Northamptonshire Inclosure: The Commissioners and Other Officials, p.44 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102530.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 146-150 (Series). SNN77380.

Record last edited

Aug 28 2026 2:25PM