2008 : Medieval remains, Broughton Gifford

Image: © Maurice Pullin Taken: 8 Feb 2008

This is an example of the open field system prevalent in medieval times, an essential part of the feudal system. When the black death came to England in 1348 it so reduced the population during the following years that landlords found their income from rents was badly hit and it became more profitable to turn the land over to more efficient ways of production. To a large part this was done with the agreement and co-operation of their tenants who preferred to receive wages from their landlords rather than pay them rent. "Open fields comprised usually two or three large un-enclosed areas of land surrounding the village settlement. These were mostly arable - for the cultivation of crops - but there were also areas of meadow, pasture and waste or heath. The meadows were often alongside streams." The above was copied from:http://www.applebymagna.org.uk/appleby_history/in_focus9_medieval_fields1.htm and specifically refers to Appleby in Lincolnshire, it also applies to similar medieval field systems elsewhere. This photograph has been digitally enhanced to show the ridges and furrows.

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