Monument record MDO765 - Medieval field system and ridge and furrow, Wolfeton Eweleaze, Charminster

Please read our .

Summary

An extensive medieval strip field system and associated ridge and furrow cultivation marks are visible as low earthworks and cropmarks on aerial photographs.

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> 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> Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 17-JAN-1947. RAF/CPE/UK/1934 4084-5.
  • <3> Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 22-JAN-1948. RAF/CPE/UK/2431 4130-1.
  • <4> Aerial Photograph: 07-MAR-1971. NMR OS/71004 014-5.
  • <5> 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

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the website maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.