MMO1647 - Post-medieval field system on Oare House Allotment (Monument)

Summary

A disused field system is visible as a series of earthworks on aerial photographs at Oare House Allotment. It may represent a failed post-medieval enclosure attempt.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A disused field system is visible as a series of earthworks on aerial photographs at Oare House Allotment, above the settlement at Oare itself, and may represent a failed post-medieval enclosure attempt. The system, centred at approximately SS 8060 4775 covers an area measuring approximately 28 hectares. A large number of banks are visible, forming fields measuring between 20 metres long and 150 metres wide. The banks themselves are irregularly shaped, and often curvilinear, but all form approximately rectangular fields. A number of ditches, possibly for drainage are also visible. The irregular shape of the fields suggests that the enclosures are earlier than the 19th Century, possibly medieval, when more regular enclosures were common. A disused quarry to the east of the field system may have provided material for the construction of the banks. The field system is not shown on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map; however, the area is named "Oare House Allotment" on this map, suggesting that it was connected with Oare House or Oare Manor and was not common land. [1-5] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [6]

Sources/Archives (6)

  • <1> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 540/902 3010 (10 October 1952).
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/72065 082 (15 April 1972).
  • <3> Monograph: Riley, H. and Wilson-North, R.. 2001. The Field Archaeology of Exmoor. English Heritage. P.127.
  • <4> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1896. County Series, First Edition 6 Inch Map. 1:10560. 1890.
  • <5>XY Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 84 NW. MD002166. [Mapped features: #46967 ; #46968 ; #46969 ]
  • <6> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1460591, Extant 23 February 2022.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 84 NW85
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1460591

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 8055 4781 (1047m by 518m) (3 map features)
Map sheet SS84NW
Civil Parish OARE, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Feb 23 2022 4:55PM

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