Dales, long lands, and the medieval division of land in eastern England

Gardiner, Mark (2009) Dales, long lands, and the medieval division of land in eastern England. Agricultural History Review, 57 (1). pp. 1-14. ISSN 0002-1490

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Abstract

The long, parallel fields of the marshlands between the Fens and the Humber estuary in eastern England, which are recorded on nineteenth-century maps, were the result of the division of the wetlands that occurred particularly during the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. Areas of common fen pasture were partitioned between tenants to provide land for grazing and arable. Similar division also took place on the coastal strip and in the peat fen for land for salt-making and cutting fuel. These long strips, known as dales, are compared to similar areas in open fields in parts of Yorkshire and Northamptonshire, which have been discussed elsewhere. It is argued that the field shape is the result of a type of division in eastern England in which considerable emphasis was placed on ease of partitioning land equitably.

Keywords:Marshland, Wetlands, Fens, Dales, Eastern England
Subjects:V Historical and Philosophical studies > V390 History by Topic not elsewhere classified
D Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects > D490 Agriculture not elsewhere classified
Divisions:College of Arts > School of History & Heritage > School of History & Heritage (Heritage)
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ID Code:28512
Deposited On:30 Aug 2017 13:42

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