Monument record MDO2868 - Medieval field system, West Knighton

(Centred SY 73108790). To the north, south and west of West Knighton a number of series of parallel lines have been drawn on the 6" indicating an extensive system of strip cultivation. <1>

Almost the whole of the area is pasture, but little evidence of extensive strip cultivation was seen on the ground at the time of investigation.

In the parkland south of Lewell Lodge, area centred at SY 73258835, are faint traces of narrow rig and furrow ploughing.

In the field north west of the New Inn, centred at SY 73258790, are low regularly spaced strips lynchets - averaging 0.3 m high - running in an east to west direction.

In the field to the east of the New Inn, centred at SY 73458785 are field banks, and lynchets averaging 1.3m high. The fields so formed are squarish and regular.

While all these areas of cultivation probably have a Medieval origin, there is some doubt whether the systems were contemporary since various methods and results are visible; viz The strong lynchets and squarish fields; the field strips; and the narrow rig ploughing in the north of the area. <2>

<1> Anon, Undated, Pte 6 inch Dorset County Museum (Anon undated) (Map). SWX2203.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 13-DEC-54 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454060 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 25 2023 3:02PM