Monument record 6564 - Open Field System, Heathencote

The common fields of Paulerspury, together with those of Heathencote, were enclosed by an Act of Parliament of 1819. The position in 1819, when there were no less than 11 open fields of various sizes in the parish, was only the last stage in a process of development and change which is not clearly understood. Large areas of ridge-and-furrow survive on the ground or can be traced on air photographs. It is still particularly well preserved in the north of the parish within the area of Towcester Racecourse where end-on and rectangular furlongs exist. This area was part of Towcester Field in 1819 and was probably one of at least three open fields cultivated by the inhabitants of Heathencote. Other ridge and furrow can be traced within the extensive old enclosures around Paulerspury village and within both the medieval deer parks.

{2} Detailed description of the arrangement of the open fields and their survivng ridge and furrow.

1819, Heathencote Inclosure Map (Map). SNN72721.

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

<2> HALL D.N., 1973, Paulerspury survey 1973, 3/67-71 (checked) (Article). SNN77045.

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

Record last edited

Jun 20 2014 2:52PM