Monument record 5649 - Open Field System, Passenham

The open fields of Passenham are traditionally said to have been enclosed by Sir Peter Banastre between 1620 and 1649. On a map of 1600 only two open fields are shown, both lying south-east of Buckingham Road. Passenham was identified as a priority township during the 'Turning the Plough' project.

{1} The common fields of Passenham are traditionally said to have been enclosed by Sir Robert Banastre between 1620 and 1649. On a map of 1600 only two open fields are shown, both lying south east of the Buckingham road. The larger, covering the whole of the area between the village and Old Stratford, was called Little Stow Field, but Breach Field, to the north west of the village, was only some 12ha in extent.
Ridge and furrow of these fields survives on the ground or can be traced from air photos, arranged in rectangular interlocked and end-on furlongs. In the former Breach Field it is almost complete.

{5} Francis Flower of Passenham Manor seems to have initiated the Inclosure of the common fields, including glebe lands in the 1580s. He parted with 30 arable acres thus impoverishing the township. Retaining 60 acres around Shrob Lodge for his own use.

{6} Passenham was identified as one of the eight priority townships in the county with good documentation and fair earthworks with compact ridge and furrow and meadow.

{7} Re-assessment of earthwork survival within the priority townships.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.110 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Catchpole, T. & Priest, R., 2012, Turning the Plough Update Assessment 2012, (unchecked) (Report). SNN108491.

<3> 1949, Northamptonshire Past and Present (1/2), Vol 1 No. 2 p.28 (checked) (Journal). SNN61518.

<4> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

<5> Woodfield P., 2005, The Whittlewood Project: Historic Buildings Survey, Passenham with Old Stratford, (checked) (Report). SNN105033.

<6> Hall D.N., 2001, Turning The Plough - Midland Open Fields: Landscape Character and Proposals for Management (Book). SNN101551.

<7> Hall D.; Chadwick P., 2013, Assessment of Midland Ridge and Furrow: Rugby Sustainable Urban Extension, Warwickshire, (part checked) (Report). SNN109403.

Record last edited

Jun 3 2024 11:54AM