Monument record 5023/1 - West End Fields, Hardingstone Parish

One of the two medieval open field systems within the parish. In existence at least as early as 1583 and probably by about 1220

{1} Detailed account of all fields in Cotton and Hardingstone; West End Fields Open Field System; medieval fields surviving in 1972 partly as pasture ridge and furrow with low linear headland earthworks in arable fields except where already built or developed. The form is typical of a central Nene Valley parish where the whole landscape is ploughed except flooding meadows (pasture). The West End Fields were known as Mere, Moor, Ransdale (alias Grange), Long Haukway and Long Bromhill Fields. A similar layout to the East End Fields as in 1660 shown as a typical C17th landscape as Terrier of that describes. The West End Fields lay to the west of the Nunn Mills to Hardingstone Road (now a hollow way) and includes Delapre and the Cottons.

{3} Documentary references to the St Leonard's Property, which was made up of half-acre strips scattered all over the fields of Cotton and Hardingstone.

{4} By 1740 the furlongs where Hunsbury Hill farm stands, along with most of the others on Hunsbury Hill, had been converted from arable to grass pasture, presumably because the poorer quality, dry, acid soils of the exposed ironstone had become infertile after centuries of ploughing.

Walker, C., 2008, An archaeological desk-based assessment of land at Pavilion Drive, Northampton October 2008, (unchecked) (Report). SNN107996.

<1> Hall, D., 1980, Hardingstone Parish Survey, 1972, p.119-32 (unchecked) (Article). SNN743.

<2> 1586, Terrier of Town Property, (unchecked) (Document). SNN830.

<3> SERJEANTSON R.M., 1915, The Leper Hospitals of Northampton, p.41-48 (checked) (Article). SNN832.

<4> Conlon R., 2005, Hunsbury Hill Centre, Northampton: Historical Report, (checked) (Report). SNN105421.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 7:51PM