MDE12856 - Medieval or post-medieval field system on Cheriton Ridge (Monument)

Summary

A rectangular field system is visible as a series of low earth and stone banks on the west side of Cheriton Ridge, covering some 60 hectares.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (2)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

SS 745 440. Field system in the form of low banks on the west side of Cheriton Ridge is visible on aerial photographs. [1-4] An area of some 60 hectares centred about SS 745 440 on the southwestern slopes of Cheriton Ridge, is covered by a series of low earth and stone banks forming a contiguous linear rectangular field system. It is similar in form and probably contemporaneous with the early 19th Century enclosed fields to the north towards Cheriton. These appear to have been planned and laid out about the same time but they were not enclosed by walling. This system continues further north (see MDE11718), and is similar in form, and presumably contemporary with, those on the northeast side of the Cheriton Ridge (MDE117265) and the southwest slopes of Brendon Common (MDE11690) NB Cutting across this field system is a dry leat, which has been treated as a separate site (MDE11685). No Survey action. [5] A field system evident as a series of low earth and stone banks is visible on the western slopes of Cheriton Ridge, Brendon, above Hoaroak Water. It is as described by the authority above, but in places the banks have been eroded by water running down the slope, leaving ditches adajacent to the banks. To the north lies a field system similar in form which is known to date to the early 19th Century; however to the south a field system of medieval or post-medieval date is also visible, as well as an enclosure of possible Iron Age date (see MMO2197 and MDE20820) and this system could be associated with either of these. The regular form of the enclosures and the depiction of part of the banks on both the 1st edition [6] and modern [7] Ordnance Survey maps suggest a later, probably post-medieval date. [6-10] A regular, rectangular block of fields lies to the north of the deserted medieval settlement (2199) on the west side of Cheriton Ridge. It is divided into five or six smaller field, and a single bank extends the field system for a further 400 metres to the north. The field boundaries are substantial banks; the top or east boundary is made up of rather spread bank, 2 metres wide, 0.7 metres high, with an outer ditch, 2 metres wide and 0.9 metres deep and some of the internal boundaries also have ditches. [11] The features are also depicted on the 2021 MasterMap data. [12] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [13]

Sources/Archives (13)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF/CPE/UK/1980,3079 (April 1947).
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Meridian Air Maps. 1977-1978. Infrared False Colour Aerial Photography. MAM/13/072 (May 1977).
  • <3> Aerial photograph: Aerial photograph reference number . NMR SS7443 (March 1979).
  • <4> Unpublished document: McDonnell, R.. 1980. Gazetteer of Sites in the Exmoor National Park Identified through Aerial Photography.
  • <5> Unpublished document: Sainsbury, I.S.S. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 3 May 1995.
  • <6> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500. 1890.
  • <7> Map: Ordnance Survey. 2004. 1:10000, 2004. 1:10,000.
  • <8> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 540/931 4124-25 (11 November 1952).
  • <9> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/72314 278-80 (16 Auguts 1972).
  • <10>XY Archive: English Heritage. 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 74 SW. MD002182. [Mapped feature: #38843 ]
  • <11> Report: Riley, H.. 2013. Hoaroak Valley: Historic landscape survey and analysis. 33.
  • <12> Map: Ordnance Survey. 2021. MasterMap data. 1:2,500.
  • <13> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1044111, Extant 18 January 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Devon SMR (Devonshire): SS74SW/96
  • Devon SMR Monument ID: 18180
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO493
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 74 SW128
  • National Park: Exmoor National Park
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1044111

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 744 442 (372m by 496m)
Map sheet SS74SW
Civil Parish BRENDON, NORTH DEVON, DEVON

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (4)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Jan 19 2022 10:44AM

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