Moorhouse to Laxton (aerial 2015)

Image: © Chris Taken: 7 Sep 2015

Laxton is famous as the last place where the medieval system of open field farming is still practised, managed by a Manorial Court with powers to determine legal proceedings and levy fines. The court appoints a Jury which inspects the wheat field annually to ensure the three field crop rotation system is adhered to and which recommends fines for transgressions noted, which are brought to the court the following week to be heard. In the early years of the 20th century the ancient strips were partially enclosed and strips combined into larger strips. The remaining strips are still farmed by tenants of the Crown Estate. The strips are specified in each tenancy and each farmer farms his own. Moorhouse Beck runs across the left corner, with Laxton's South Field to the left of it. Moorhouse was once known as Moorhouse in the Bog. With thanks to Joy Allison for the text. See http://www.laxtonnotts.org.uk/ ; http://www.laxtonvisitorcentre.org.uk/ ; www.openfield.org.uk ; www.laxtonhistorygroup.org.uk and http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.co.uk/2007/12/laxton-open-field-survey-map.html See also aerial shots in Image, Image, Image, Image and Image

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