Monument record MDO4255 - Medieval ridge and furrow, Mappowder

Cultivation remains south of Mappowder Court, in the form of earthwork ridges around 200 yards long and seven to eight yards wide. These are thought likely to be some of the 74 acres which are recorded as belonging to the Priory of Wilkswood in 1512.

Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1, 148 (Monograph). SDO146.

'(6) CULTIVATION REMAINS. The open fields of Mappowder were finally enclosed in 1807 (Enclosure Award, D.C.R.O.) but the small area involved, only 365 acres, indicates that much enclosure had taken place earlier. Ridge-and-furrow of these fields is visible on air photographs (R.A.F. CPE/UK 1934:4180-1); it lies N. of Parsonage Farm (731073) and at least six rectangular butting and end-on furlongs, up to 300 yds. long, can be seen.
Ridge-and-furrow within existing fields, up to 200 yds. long with ridges 7 yds. To 8 yds. wide and headlands 8 yds. wide, remain S. and S.E. of Mappowder Court (738056) and (740056); these are almost certainly some of the 74 acres, divided into 16 closes, which belong to the Priory of Wilkswood in 1512 (Hutchins III, 729). Similar ridge-and-furrow can be seen on air photographs (R.A.F. CPE/UK 1974: 1184-5) around Old Boywood Farm (731087) and (734092).'

Record last edited

Apr 2 2026 12:04PM