Monument record MDO4863 - Ridge and furrow, Sturminster Newton

Earthworks of a medieval field system in the form of ridge and furrow with ridges 6 to 8 yards wide and headlands 8 to 9 yards wide. The earthworks lie within existing fields, and the shape of these fields suggests that they were formed by enclosing the curved end-on furlongs of an open field system. The date of enclosure is not known.

ST 798137. Ridge-and-furrow identified within existing fields and have ridges 6-8 yards apart, and headlands 8-9 yards apart. <1>

<1> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 286 (Monograph). SDO136.

‘(70) CULTIVATION REMAINS. The date of enclosure of the open fields in the parish is unknown. Remains of ridge-and-furrow can be seen on air photographs (R.A.F. CPE/UK 1974: 1162-3 and 3162-3) to the N., N.E., and E. of Sturminster, notably at 792143, 789153 and 798137. The remains lie within existing fields and have ridges 6 yds. to 8 yds. wide and headlands 8 yds. to 9 yds. wide. The shape of the existing fields, however, suggests that they are the result of enclosing the curved end-on furlongs of an open-field system.

Traces of ridge-and-furrow, perhaps representing the open fields of Bagber, can be seen on air photographs (R.A.F. CPE/UK 1974: 1165-6 and 3165-6); they lie N.E. of Oaks Farm (772144) and E. of Manor Farm (771155).

S.E. of Newton (782131), four butting furlongs up to 230 yds. long and with curving ridges 6 yds. to 8 yds. wide are probably the remains of the open fields of that settlement.

Traces of curving ridge-and-furrow can be seen on air photographs S.E. of Fiddleford Mill (802133); they represent the former open fields of Fiddleford (see also OKEFORD FITZPAINE (37)).’

<1.1> Royal Air Force, 11 APR 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 1162 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17675.

<1.2> Royal Air Force, 11 APR 1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 1163-4, 1163 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17548.

<1.3> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 3162-3 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17676.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 888681 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 21 2022 3:32PM