MMO3043 - Medieval or post-medieval field system northwest of Brightworthy Farm (Monument)

Summary

Former field boundary banks, potentially of medieval origin, can be seen on aerial photographs as earthworks and levelled earthworks. This may be a continuation of the field system recorded as MSO8721.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

  • None recorded

Full Description

Former field boundary banks, potentially of medieval origin, can be seen on aerial photographs as earthworks and levelled earthworks to the west of Brightworthy, centred on circa SS 8273 3597. The removed or relict boundaries clearly form part of the wider field system associated with Brightworthy, and may have been laid out as a coherent system encroaching onto Withypool Common. Those boundaries transcribed on the relatively gentle slopes to the west of Brightworthy might been removed to increase field size and productivity, probably in the later post-medieval period. In contrast, those on the steeper slopes above the River Barle may be evidence for failed or abandoned enclosure of the former commons. Most of the transcribed boundaries have been levelled by the 1970s. [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. NMR RAF 106G/UK/1655 (F20) 3421-22 (11 July 1946).
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR RAF CPE/UK/1980 (F20) 4360-1 (11 April 1947).
  • <3> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR MAL 68041 003-7 (9 June 1968).
  • <4> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/73086 813-4 (17 April 1973).
  • <5>XY Archive: 2007-2009. Exmoor National Park NMP: SS 83 NW. MD002191. [Mapped feature: #42334 ]
  • <6> Digital archive: Historic England. Various. National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) entry. 1488521, Extant 23 August 2021.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 83 NW142
  • NRHE HOB UID (Pastscape): 1488521

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 8280 3594 (802m by 348m) Aerial Survey
Map sheet SS83NW
Civil Parish WITHYPOOL AND HAWKRIDGE, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jan 3 2022 9:03PM

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