Anglo‐Saxon Fields

Abstract

This article addresses how and when the small, rectilinear or irregular fields of Roman Britain were transformed into the open and common fields of medieval England. Furthermore, the sparse and often unsatisfactory physical indicators of continuities and discontinuities in the layout and management of arable fields during the Anglo-Saxon centuries are explored. Mid Saxon agricultural innovation seems to have included an increase in the area under cultivation, and the introduction of new crops, new technologies, and new approaches to maintaining the fertility of the soil, within the familiar structures of infield-outfield cultivation which remained the basis of arable management. The two general types of mid Saxon field layouts are explained: enclosed and unenclosed. The data suggests that the process of the transformation of ancient into medieval fields may have been more attenuated than previously supposed.

The shape-shifting form of UK floodplains: Fusing analysis of the territorially constructed with analysis of natural terrain processes

“…In medieval and early modern times, floodplain terrains had intrinsic and distinctive human value for powering an essentially agricultural economy: directly as waterpower for mills, and indirectly via the meadowlands feeding livestock and the oxen that powered work on the land. In fenland border economies, wetlands had integrated and custom-set roles in local economies for food (fish, wildfowl), reed thatch and summer grazing (Oosthuizen, 2017). After the Black Death (from 1348 CE onwards), significant parts of the country transitioned from arable to sheep grazing, with the loss of traditional rights.…”

Land, People and Power in Early Medieval Wales: The cantref of Cemais in comparative perspective

“…'Infield' will suffice (perhaps better than 'hamlet land'), and its use allows Welsh evidence to be seen in the broader British and Irish context discussed by people like Buchanan (1973, 584-7), Hall (2014, 86-94), Kelly (2000, 370), Oosthuizen (2011), andWhittington (1973, 532-5, 550-1). It fits with George Owen's description of permanently cultivated (annually manured) infields in Welsh areas of north Pembrokeshire, and suggests that infield may be an appropriate designation for the gerddi/garddau of Penallt y garddau in Bayvil and the strip fields at Brynhenllan.…”

“…(Butlin and Baker 1973, 623-4;M. Davies 1956, 94-6;Hall 2014, 5;Oosthuizen 2011;Roberts & Wrathmell 2002, 2;Thirsk 1966, 144).…”

“…Davies 1978, 356;Rees 1924, 230-1) clas: a community (often but not always of ecclesiastical composition) with a stake in a (pre-Conquest) church) (Charles-Edwards 2013, 602, 606) common field: (sometimes referred to as a 'Midland' common field) -an open field with a communally regulated crop rotation and fallowing. (Butlin and Baker 1976, 623-4;Hall 2014, 5;Oosthuizen 2011;Roberts & Wrathmell 2002, 2;Thirsk 1966, 144) common land: land (belonging to one person) where another person holds rights of common whether arising from a grant or from the custom of the manor (Bird 1983, 80).…”

Beyond hierarchy: the archaeology of collective governance

“…While hypothesis-testing through the indicative conditional offers new possibilities for archaeological research into social relations, it is may be unlikely to provide definitive answers to such questions without support from other methods. Some examples are now considered in detail and readers are referred to Oosthuizen (2011aOosthuizen ( , 2011bOosthuizen ( , 2013 for full references to sites mentioned.…”