Monument record 5418 - Open Field System, Helmdon

{1} The common fields of the former parish of Helmdon were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1758. Nothing is known of the arrangement of these fields but it is possible that at some time there were two separate field systems, associated with the two assumed early settlements which together make up the village of Helmdon. These lands may have been two parts of the original parish, north and south of the main stream
Ridge-and-furrow of these fields exists on the ground or can be traced on air photographs over much of the old parish. In the south part the pattern is almost complete, but in the north it is less so. The ridge-and-furrow is arranged in end-on and interlocked furlongs, many of reversed-S form. In some places there is considerable variation in ridge width; for example south of Allithorne Wood four blocks of relatively narrow ridges only 4 m. across are separated by single broad ridges 8-9m wide. This is an unusual system and may indicate a late stage in strip division in this parish.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.88 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

<3> Hollowell S., 1999, Northamptonshire Inclosure: The Commissioners and Other Officials, p.45 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102530.

Record last edited

Mar 27 2014 4:30PM