MMO3137 - Medieval or post-medieval strip field system west of Knaplock (Monument)

Subtle earthwork evidence visible on aerial photographs indicates the presence of a former strip field system of possible medieval to the west of Knaplock, centred on circa SS 8647 3321. The remains are almost completely levelled but can be seen most clearly as curved field boundary banks to the southwest of Knaplock, along the combe of a tributary to the River Barle, immediately to the south of Watery Lane. To the north of the road, however, the earthworks are much lower probably due to more sustained agricultural improvements. The fragmentary remains cover an area of at least 27 hectares, perpetuating the pattern of curved field boundaries that now comprises the extant field system. Unfortunately very few of these earthworks survive in a coherent enough form to be transcribed. Nonetheless, the few examples that survive indicate that the strips were enclosed at widths of 18 to 40 metres wide. [1,2]