Monument record MDO765 - Medieval field system and ridge and furrow, Wolfeton Eweleaze, Charminster
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Summary
Map
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
The date of enclosure of the open fields of Wolfeton is unknown but about 40 acres of fragmentary contour and cross-contour strip lynchets cover Wolfeton Eweleaze (SY 686933). <1>
An extensive system of Medieval strip fields with associated ridge and furrow cultivation are visible as low earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs at Wolfeton Eweleaze.<2-4>
<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1, 72 (Monograph). SDO146.
'(28) Cultivation Remains. The open fields of Charminster lay N. of the R. Frome and W. of the R. Cerne. Parts of them, in the area of Haydon Hill, were enclosed by agreement in 1587 (S. & D.N. & Q., XIII, 1912-13, 162-70); the rest, divided into three large open fields and two smaller ones, were finally enclosed in 1837 (Map and Award, 1837, D.C.R.O.). On Haydon Hill (671943) are some 40 acres of fragmentary contour and cross-contour strip lynchets, up to 250 yds. long and with massive risers up to 15 ft. high, arranged in end-on and butting furlongs. The N. part of these lay in Middle Field until 1837, the rest were enclosed in 1587. A further 10 acres of fragmentary contour strip lynchets lie 500 yds. to the N. W. of Forston House (6). These lay in Higher Field until 1837. The settlement of Forston had open fields but nothing is known of their enclosure. Contour strip lynchets of these fields lie 700 yds. N. of Forston (667964); they are arranged in two end-on furlong blocks. The open fields of Pulston were enclosed before 1770 (Map of Pulston Farm by I. Taylor, 1770, photo-copy in D.C.R.O.). Five contour strip lynchets of these fields lie on the valley side, 300 yds S. of Pulston Barn (668950). The date of the enclosure of the open fields of Wolfeton is unknown. About 40 acres of fragmentary contour and cross-contour strip lynchets cover Wolfeton Eweleaze (686933), 700 yds. N.E. of Charminster church.'
<2> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 4084-5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO10912.
<3> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-1948, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4130-1 (Aerial Photograph). SDO10909.
<4> 07-MAR-1971, NMR OS/71004 014-5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO10913.
<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 453474 (Digital archive). SDO14739.
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SDO146 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1. 72.
- <2> SDO10912 Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 17-JAN-1947. RAF/CPE/UK/1934 4084-5.
- <3> SDO10909 Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 22-JAN-1948. RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4130-1.
- <4> SDO10913 Aerial Photograph: 07-MAR-1971. NMR OS/71004 014-5.
- <5> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 453474.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
Grid reference | Centred SY 686 930 (572m by 1143m) (75 map features) |
---|---|
Map sheet | SY69SE |
Civil Parish | Charminster; Dorset |
Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 1 028 028 C
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 69 SE 102
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 453474
- Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Charminster 28
Record last edited
May 28 2025 12:12PM