SNN62050 - Northamptonshire Forests: Fineshade, Westhay, Southwick & Yardley Chase (Archaeological Interpretation Survey, Part 2)

An archaeological fieldwork rapid survey of three areas of Northamptonshire woodland in the care of Forest Enterprise was made in Marcj and April 1997. The woods, at Fineshade and Westhay, Southwick, and part of Yardley Chase, were due to have areas felled and needed archaeological appraisal. Previous information from archaeological records and documentary sources was checked, and all the woodland compartments due for felling were rapidly searched for sites and earthworks. Compartments not to be felled were checked for apparent ground visibilty and the linear earthworks of medieval coppice banks were field mapped preparatory to any future more detailed survey. A summary of the history of the forest regions and their management is followed by a list of the sites visited and discovered. The medieval coppice-boundary banks are fairly well preserved except for Southwick Woods which were substantially pulled up in the mid 19th century. The significance of all the earthworks is discussed and recommendations made for practical management of the remains.