MMO2048 - Medieval or post-medieval field boundaries north and west of Withycombe Farm (Monument)
Summary
Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record caveat document.
Type and Period (1)
Protected Status
Full Description
A number of fragmentary medieval or post-medieval field boundaries are visible on aerial photographs as earthworks in fields around Withycombe Farm, Challacombe. Centred at approximately SS 6851 4217 the banks follow various alignments, in some cases running parallel with extant field boundaries. At SS 6856 4226 a bank runs northeast to southwest downslope, measuring approximately 59 metres long. A second bank, heavily fragmented, is visible at SS 6855 4218 measuring 68 metres long and running approximately north to south. This bank lies parallel with an extant field boundary at SS 6856 4220, and may be associated with it. Fragments of a third bank are visible to the west of the farm at SS 6848 4214. This bank is very irregular, but appears to run approximately east to west downslope before curving to the south. It has been cut in several places by construction of a post-medieval water meadow (see MMO2025), suggesting that the bank predates this period. It is difficult to be certain of the form of the field system due to the condition of the banks. However, since the banks are not depicted on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map it seems likely they were abandoned prior to publication, and they may be indicative of a longer period of settlement activity at Withycombe Farm than previously thought. [1-3] Medieval or Post Medieval boundaries to the south of the farm buildings were mapped as part of a survey of Challacombe in 1999. They are centred at SS 684 420. They seem to have a different character to those of the numerous lynchets associated with strip fields which once covered much of Challacombe parish - see MDE10871 for details. [4-6] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [7]
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SMO4068 Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/73109 885-86 (29 April 1973).
- <2> SEM6703 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1868-1901. County Series; 1st Edition 25 Inch Map. 1:2500. 1889.
- <3>XY SMO7564 Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 64 SE. MD002181. [Mapped features: #34725 ; #34726 ; #46084 ]
- <4> SEM7440 Monograph: Riley, H. and Wilson-North, R.. 2001. The Field Archaeology of Exmoor. English Heritage. pp 98-99.
- <5> SMO7106 Aerial photograph transcription: Winton, H.. 1999. Challacombe Project/Ink AP Transcription.
- <6> SEM6769 Report: Winton, H.. 1999. Challacombe, West Exmoor.
- <7> SEM7987 Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1467259, Extant 10 November 2021.
External Links (1)
- http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1467259 (Pastscape entry: 1467259)
Other Statuses/References
- Devon SMR Monument ID: 61763
- Local List Status (Unassessed)
- National Monuments Record reference: SS 64 SE104
- NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1467259
Location
Grid reference | Centred SS 6845 4212 (258m by 277m) (3 map features) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SS64SE |
Civil Parish | CHALLACOMBE, NORTH DEVON, DEVON |
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Events/Activities (2)
Record last edited
Nov 10 2021 11:01AM
Feedback?
Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.