Monument record 9896 - Open Field System, East Haddon

{1} The common fields of the parish were finally enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1773 though apparently no map survives. A detailed survey, made in 1598, showing the common fields as they then existed, reveals a very complex picture. The north part of the parish was called North Field, and was subdivided into West, middle and East Fields; the south of the parish was South Field, subdivided into South, Middle and East Fields. There was also a South Field Heath. In 1629 a lease referred to a recent enclosure of the South Field by agreement between the three lords of the manor and one freeholder. This event can be dated to between 1598 and 1607. Whern the North Field was finally enclosed in 1773 it had by this date been renamed as Upper Middle and Holdenby Fields.
Ridge and furrow of these common fields exists on the ground or can be traced on air photos over large parts of the parish, arranged in end-on and interlocked furlongs, many of reversed-S form. In the north of the parish near Washbrook Bridge (SP668690), three interlocked furlongs preserved in pasture show extremely well the careful adaptation of the layout to the natural topography.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.96 Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<2> Hollowell S., 1999, Northamptonshire Inclosure: The Commissioners and Other Officials, p.45 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102530.

Record last edited

Mar 27 2014 4:18PM