SNN102124 - Oakley Grange: Agricultural History and Landuse

The study area lies in an area that belonged to Oakley manor as the demesne farm, the Hall Field. The greater part of it had been open-field arable until after 1511, but by 1543 it had been enclosed as pasture. Much of its ridge and furrow had been ploughed out during the 19th century but some strips were visible as soilmarks on aerial photographs of 1950 and 1954. A few furlongs survive that may conceal well preserved archaeological remains. The north-eastern part of the area was a medieval woodland coppice called Benty, which still had trees in 1619 but had been grubbed up before 1744. The records offer no evidence of charcoal burning or iron smelting. It is therefore unlikely that iron production occurred at anytime from the 13th century onwards, or it would have been mentioned in the manorial records as an asset. Most of the Brooke Records relate to manorial decent, valuations, surveys, rentals, and forest rights- they would be expected to refer to all significant sources of income.