Monument record 8311 - Open Field System, Paulerspury

Pury End & Heathencote had separate field systems.

{1} Although Paulerspury had three fields until enclosure in 1819 the draft inclosure map of the same year shows areas of ancient inclosure adjacent to the village, including the field to the north west of Grays Close. This inclosure is thought to date from the 15th century when a decrease in population released pressure on ploughland.

{2} 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.

{3} It is clear that the whole area, except possibly small parts of the two parks and the flooding meadows, have been strip ploughed at some time. From the evidence this is likely to have been by 1300.
Detailed description of the arrangement of the open fields and their survivng ridge and furrow.

<1> Walker, C., 2010, Archaeological Evaluation on Land Off Gray's Close, Paulerspury, Northamptonshire 2010, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN107118.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.117 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

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

<4> Hall D.N., 1972, Bedfordshire Archaeological Journal (Vol.7), 7/53-66 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN105868.

<5> Hall D., 2001, The Woodland Landscapes of Southern Northamptonshire, p.33-46 (unchecked) (Article). SNN102520.

Record last edited

Apr 29 2014 2:57PM