Monument record 1754 - Open Field System, Irthlingborough

The common fields of the parish were enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1808. Before that date there were six common fields but the land occupied by West Field is now in Wellngborough parish. Ridge and furrow of these fields exists on the ground or can be traced on air photos in a number of places. Four small blocks of ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks scattered throughout the southwest of the parish of Irthlingborough on aerial photographs. The blocks are now all levelled.

{2} The common fields of the parish were enclosed by Act of Parliament of 1808. Before that date there were six common fields but the land occupied by West Field is now in Wellngborough parish. Ridge and furrow of these fields exists on the ground or can be traced on air photos in a number of places. It is all arranged in end-on furlongs, mostly of reversed-S shape. That north of the town (SP932716 and 940715) lay in Holbush Field, north west of the town (SP938711 and 938702) in Up Windmill Field and northeast of the town (SP942714 and 948718) in Knightland Field. Further indistinct traces of similar ridge and furrow south of the town (SP937694 and 942691) lay in Broadham Field. To the east of Irthingborough (SP956713) are other traces formerly in Fettledine Field while to the north (SP962723), a well marked ridge, 30m wide and almost 1km long, is a former headland between end on furlongs.

{3} The Irthlingborough Inclosure map shows that area between the River Nene and Addington Road to be covered by one large field, Fettledine Field. This is one of six open arable fields in Irthlingborough.

{5} Four small blocks of ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks scattered throughout the southwest of the parish of Irthlingborough on aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. The blocks are now all levelled.

<1> Hollowell S., 1999, Northamptonshire Inclosure: The Commissioners and Other Officials, p.50-51 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102530.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.58 site 16 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<3> Durden, T., 1995, Frontier Centre, Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire: An Archaeological Desktop Study and Fieldwalking Survey, (checked) (Report). SNN77008.

<4> 1813, Irthlingborough/Wellingborough Enclosure Map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN34348.

<5> Royal Air Force, Vertical Aerial Photography, RAF/CPE/UK/1925 RS 4251-4253 16-JAN-1947 (Photographs). SNN104890.

<6> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 8:58PM