Stogumber's Fields

Background

We perhaps imagine that the landscape around is has always been this way, and that the English countryside has existed in its present form since time immemorial. The patchwork quilt of fields and hedgerows which is such a feature of modern day Stogumber and west Somerset is certainly very special, but a surprising amount of it is recent by historical standards.

The landscape has a history and in these pages I try to show how the way it looks now has been influenced by external events such as immigration, disease and war.

First though, we have to clarify what the word 'field' refers to, as its usage has changed over time.

‘Field’ used to refer to an area of agricultural land which was usually used for arable production and unlike modern fields, had no fixed external boundaries.

The word for what we now call a field was 'close'. This is seen in the 1695 schedule of the manor of Stogumber which although it is six pages long and lists orchards, land, pastures and closes, it only has the word 'field' once where it refers to 'land in Preston fields'. Two examples of more normal descriptions are:

A dwelling house, garden and orchard and three acres of pasture.

A dwelling house and certain closes of land and pasture

Closes were usually small and situated immediately next to the settlement; fields were large areas of open land situated further away.

As the village population expanded so too did the range and extent of the closes surrounding it.

Two candidates for later closes would be Great and Little Breach – both now no longer extant but apparent from the 1840 tithe map.

‘Breach’ is thought to derive from a middle English word relating to clearing woodland or taking in land. Place name evidence on its own is not very reliable, but it could be inferred that these two closes were perhaps created between 1100 and 1400 AD. The close immediately below them is called Old Close which could be taken as corroboration of Great and Little Breach being of more recent origin.

c.800-c.1380

Anglo-Saxon field systems

The parish was extensively farmed by the Anglo-Saxons who came to West Somerset between 700 and 800 AD.

This is a satellite photograph of Preston which was probably an Anglo Saxon settlement (the place name ending ton is indicative), and it shows the prevalence of 'close' field names immediately around Preston itself. There are a series of ‘field’ names beyond. These modern names are perhaps vestiges which are indicative of a typical three field Anglo-Saxon farming pattern.

Typical Anglo-Saxon settlements had three surrounding fields which were used in rotation, with one lying fallow every year. Names associated with this pattern are often associated with the points of the compass.

Open fields

A medieval open field survives at Braunton in north Devon. It is enormous as the photograph shows, and is divided into strips separated by low banks which grow a variety of crops. Different commoners have rights to use different parts of the field hence the variety of planting.

Division of open fields

The strips are about 220 yards long – or a furlong.

In medieval times such strips were called ‘lands’, ‘raps’ or ‘buts’ amongst other names. We see a reflection of this in local field names in between Preston and Hartrow perhaps indicating their past usage as open field.

Evidence for the enclosure with hedges of previously open lands or strips in former open fields in this area can be seen in this Nineteenth century map of the area running from Ashbeer down towards Preston.

Such ' lands' were ploughed using oxen.

Oxen were very strong but difficult to turn around and required a large area at the end of the lands known as a headland in which to turn.

An ox team could plough about ten lands per day - this is the origin of the acre.

Although open fields are widely thought to have disappeared from the English landscape by 1600, they persisted in West Somerset and in the parish of Stogumber for much longer as this map of 1796 shows.

Open fields also survived at this time at Preston Fields to the south of Preston Farm.

Another probable Anglo-Saxon settlement is Capton.

The two large modern fields pictured hide a long history.

Another probable Anglo-Saxon settlement is Capton.

The two large modern fields pictured hide a long history.

In 1796 they were a series of 14 fields.

The hedges have been planted enclosing what was formally open field.

The strip on the right is still in evidence and those on the left show former lands or strips. They are approximately 220 yards long

Unsurprisingly, medieval agriculture was very much less efficient than that practiced nowadays and to feed each person required 40 times more land than is the case now.

For this reason, although the population was very much smaller it required enormous amounts of land to be cultivated.

So great was the need to grow grain that areas such as the Quantocks were routinely ploughed in this period, and terraces were constructed on steep hillsides to allow them to be planted.

c.1380-c.1750

List of Stogumber's priests

The Black Death which hit Stogumber in 1348 led to huge changes in society and in the fieldscape which had been in place for 500 years or more.

The list of priests in the parish is the only evidence we have for the impact of the disease as far as Stogumber is concerned.

Before 1348 their average tenure was 20 years, but the priest who died in 1348 was replaced two years later, and again the following year, and again the following year, and again the same year - a total of five priests in four years. Taken along with other local evidence it seems likely that half of the population of the parish may have died within four years.

Impact of land holdings

The impact of this on the demand for land was immense. Far less farm land was required as there were simply far less people to feed. There were also far less people to work the land and landlords who had previously relied on tied labour found that this was no longer so readily available. A lack of labour to work their land led to many landlords being to sell or let their land on long leases to secure an income.

This is one such lease showing a typical sized holding of between 20 and 30 acres – considered sufficient to support a family. It runs for three lifetimes – as good as freehold in many respects.

Schedule of the manor of Stogumber

Above all however, the drop in the population, and the fall in the demand for grain led to an increase in pasture for grazing animals in place of arable cultivated land.

Sheep began to be extensively farmed. The Quantocks were given over to permanent pasture. Peoples’ diets improved as they ate more protein and the population recovered. Great wealth flowed into the village from the production of wool and woollen cloth. Nowhere is this better seen than in the building of Stogumber church itself.

The change in the pattern of land tenure towards many small holders, along with the increase in livestock farming led to the creation of many new enclosures or what we would now call fields. Unlike arable crops, animals need fencing in. The change in the landscape was considered notable and remarkable to people in the early 1500s and it was in this period that we start to see the landscape became covered to a much greater extent with the quintessentially English patchwork of fields.

The schedule of Stogumber manor from this period indicates the size of typical enclosures: most were only 2 or 3 acres but the larger were 7 acres. The very largest enclosure of all in the schedule was 10 acres.

Hartrow warren

It was not only sheep that began to be farmed on a significant scale however. All sorts of things which it had previously been uneconomic to farm began to appear in the landscape. Rabbits for instance !

There is evidence for a rabbit warren having existed at Hartrow in the form of several 'warren' field names - it may well have been located in the area circled above.

Deer were also farmed locally following the Black Death, as were flax and hemp.

Even though there were more enclosures in the period following the Black Death, many areas of the parish remained 'open' however until the late 1700s.

As well as open strip-type arable fields at Ashbeer, Preston and Rowdon, there were areas known as Capton Down, Rowdon Common and Rexton Gorths. Just across the parish boundaries were the common at Heddon, Tolland Down, and the heath at Crowcombe.

Transcription of 1695 schedule of the manor of Stogumber

Schedule of Premises comprising the Manor of Stogumber 1695

SRO T/PH/rhs

The original deed lacks the second of four skins but is apparently an assignment of mortgage from Thomas Canham of London, merchant and Sir John Sydenham of Brimpton, bt, to John Doble of Calverleigh (county of Devon) Esq. It recites previous mortgage and other depts and mentions sale of the manors of Ashbrittle and Bossington to defray a debt of £6,000 incurred by Sir John Sydenham by Statute; dated 7th December 1695.

Parcel of two messuages or tenements with several closes of land and pasture in Priston late Hugh Pike and all common lands in Priston Fields, Eastwood and Rydon unto Charity Pike for her widowhood and Hugh Pike for life by copy. Rent 15s 6d.

A tenement with the appurtenances late Attwells containing 22 acres for the life of Thomas Sweeting by copy. Rent 11s 3d

Several houses, parcels of land, parcels of two tenements in Preston for the lives of Ann Ingram, William Ingram by copy. Rent £1 6s 6d

A meadow parcel containing 3 closes called Minefses parcel of a tenement late Grace Courts cont past for Ann Ingrams widowhood by copy. Rent 7s 1 1/4 d

Two closes of meadow called Preston Mead One close called Whetstone held by Eliz.Cotrell for her widowhood by copy. Rent 13s 8d

Certain closes and parcels of land meadow and pasture parcel of a tenement late Grace Courts held by Eliz Ingram for her widowhood by copy. Rent 7s 1 ½ d

A dwelling house garden and orchard called Pole and Sawyers for the lives of Thomas Southwood and John his brother by copy. Rent 10s

One messuage or dwelling house late Barons for the lives of Ann Galhampton and William Treble by copy. Rent 4s 1d.

A tenement called Hofferhill for Ann Trebles widowhood and Ann Galhampton and Wm Trebles lives by copy. Rent 6s 10d

A messuage house with a curtilage and garden thereto belonging called the Redd Lyon for 3 lives by copy (vizt Ann Treble, William Treble, Hugh Treble). Rent 3s 4d

A close of land called Butts close now a dwelling house erected for 2 lives by copy (vizt/ Francis Yard and William Penny. Rent 2s 6d

A tenement with the appurtences in Stream for 3 lives by copy (vizt) Joane Holcombe Joseph and Charles her children rent 1l 5s 4d

Parcel of 2 messuages or tenements with certain parcels of land meadow and pasture for Joane Pike of Molton her widowhood by copy rent 5s 5 ½ d

A parcel of ground on which a dwellinghouse erected late Venns for one life by copy (vizt) Lewis Slocombe rent 4s 1d

One water course to John Osmond by copy rent 8d

A tenement at Wood containing 58 acres for 2 lives by copy (vizt) Joseph Skinner and Ann Andrews rent 1l 11s 10d

One tenement in Preston containing 15 acres 6 acres land common for 2 lives by copy (vizt) Henry Pike and Henry his son rent 5s 9 ½ d

One close of land called Longacre for one life by copy (vizt) Henry Pike rent 2s

One close of pasture called Easter Close to Anne Ingram for her widowhood by copy rent 1s 4d

A close of land called Hughes Close granted to Agatha Ingram for her widowhood and Ann Ingram for life by copy rent 4s

A messuage or tenement called Hill by lease for 2 lives (vizt) Eliz Joanes and Joane her daughter now Solli… rent 5s 8d

A messuage and garden in the town of Stogumber with certain closes for one life by copy (vizt) Ann Lewis now Hurly rent 5s 6d

A tenement called the 2 tenenents in Preston for one life by copy (vizt) John Langham rent 1s 6d

A dwellinghouse garden and orchard in Munksilver for one life by copy (vizt John Slade Rent 4s 8d

A tenement with the appurtenances late Hugh Sweeting for Joane Newmans widowhood Rent £1 6s 1d

Several closes of land or pasture called Langdons for 2 lives by copy (vizt Thomas Allen and William his brother Rent 13 8d

A messuage or tenement known by the name of the Black Ramm for one life by copy (vizt/ the said Thomas Allen Rent 4s

A messuage and cartside in Stogumber late Boys for one life by copy (vizt Hugh Pike of Taunton rent 4s 1d

A tenement or dwellinghouse and certain closes of land and pasture for one life by copy (vizt George Chilcott junr Rent £1 1s 5d

A dwellinghouse garden and orchard and three acres of land and pasture for 2 lives by copy (vizt/ Edward Penny and James his son Rent 5s 1d

A tenement with the appurtenances except some houses in hand

A messuage and garden being above excepted for three lives by copy (vizt Anne Penny, Benjamin and Jno her sons Rent 1s

Two closes of pasture called Ridons containing 5 acres for 2 lives by copy (vizt Mary More and Samuel Burge Rent 5s 1d

A messuage garden and orchard 3 acres upon Ashbeer for Christian Moores widowhood by copy rent 6s

A water grist mill with certain closes for the said Christians widowhood by copy rent 10s

A house and a close of arable called Braggs cont nine acres for Dorothy Langhams widowhood and John her sons life by copy rent 4s

Lawrence Hiles holds at will a parcel of land at Kingswood 4 land yards in length and one in breadth rent 2s 6d

One tenement late William Extons rent 16 acres for Mary Exton’s widowhood rent 7s 5d.

One cottage and garden with the appurtenances adjoining to the Almshouses for 2 lives by copy viz Henry Moor and James his sonne rent 1s.

A dwelling house one close called Pikes close one acre upon Ashbeere for Joan Barlies widowhood and the lives of John Webber and Wm Webber rent 3s 5d.

A cottage and b…side for Joan Guests widowhood formerly Day by copy rent 4s 1d.

Severall closes and parcels of land and pasture and a parcel overland called Kings Grove? cont 3 acres and other parcels in the whole 12 acres for the life of Joan Guest by copy rent 8s 8d.

A cottage and …side for the life of Robert Parsons by copy rent 3s 5d

A tenement cont a house and little garden or orchard and a parcell of ground in all one acre for 3 lives by copy (vizt) John Webber John and William his sonnes Rent 1s 6d.

A dwelling house with the appurtenances for the life of Elizabeth Joanes by copy rent 1s.

A cottage with the appurtenances the other part of Katherine Bridges for 2 lives by copy (vizt) Richard Pippen and Francis Pippen rent 3s1d.

A tenement garden and curtilage and appurtenances for Robert Pippens life by copy rent 1s 4d

Three little cottages and two plots of ground part of a tenement heretofore Moores in hand

A cottage and garden and appurtenances for 3 lives by copy vizt John Selby Eliz and Joane his sisters rent 4s

A dwelling house and garden called the Hayes in Stogumber for 2 lives by copy (vizt/ George Dashwood and William Dashwood Rent 1s 4d

A cottage and little garden for Sarah Merrins widd and the lives of John and William her sons by copy rent 1s

A cottage and garden called Daweshayes for 3 lives by copy (vizt/ John Moore Thomas and Charles his sons rent 1s

A Great House garden and orchard in Stogumber late Boys¹ for the life of Mr John Osmond by copy rent 3s 6d

A dwelling house and shop with a little garden for the life of William Moore by copy rent 1s

A cottage and appurtenances for 3 lives by copy (vizt/ Arthur Lovell William and Arthur his sons rent

A tenement and appurtenances in Preston a close of overland called Burroughs cont in the whole 46 acres and ½ for Mary Reynolds widowhood by copy rent 13s 1d

A meadow called Brayesmead about 6 acres for the said Marys widowhood by copy rent 8s

A tenement and appurtenances in Stogumber called Rydon cont 8 acres 3 yards for the said Marys widowhood by copy rent 4s 10d

A messuage or tenement called H… hill cont 58 acres for 99 years if Wm Saffin and Christopher Saffin so long live rent 1l 8s 1d

A messuage or tenement with the appurtenances about a dwellinghouse 2 orchards and garden in St Decumans 27 acres of meadow and pasture for 99 years determinable on the deaths of 3 persons (vizt Wm Bruford James Bruford and George Bruford rent 1l 17s 0d

The moiety of a tenement called Pound late Newman and for 99 years by lease determinable on the deaths of 3 persons (vizt William Treble Hugh Treble and William Treble his sonnes rent 5s

A messuage or tenement cont 30 acres at Cullham within the parish of Stogumber for 99 years by lease if James Knight for so long live rent 5s

A messuage or tenement lately an Inn known by the name of the Black Ramm in Munk Silver by Lease for 99yrs if Thomas Eames so long live rent 10s 8d

A messuage tenement bakehouse and tucking mill by lease for 99 years if Mary Sully or Eliz Sully or either of them so long live rent 13s 8d

The moiety or half … of a tenement cont 20 acres by lease for 99 years if Elizabeth Joanes and Joane her daughter or either of them so long live rent 2s 6d

A tenement called Bragg cont 13 acres 10 acres of wood by lease for 99 years if Agnes Prescott formerly Chaplin so long live rent 1s

Two closes called Horses wood cont 10 acres by lease for 99 years if Alexander Pryor and Symon Ingram or either of them so long live rent 7s 6d

A wood called Coppice wood containing 2 acres a house erected thereon, another coppice called Kingswood by lease for 99 yeares if Elizabeth Pippen and Gartrude Osmond or either of them so long live Rent 5s 10d.

Two closes of pasture called …acres in Stream by lease for 99 years if William Binford and George Blinman or either of them so long live rent 8s 2d

Two closes called Besbis and Morses with certain Lands in Kingswood by lease for 99 years if James Penny so long live Rent 15s 4b

A cottage and a certain parcel of land adjoining called Hutches? by lease for 99years if William Webber John Webber and Samuel Webber sonnes of John Webber or one or either of them so long live Rent 1s 8d.

The markets and fairs in Stogumber by lease for 99 years if John Osmond so long lives Rent 5s the 2 …

c.1750-c.1850

The effect of the Napoleonic wars

Areas of common land and open field disappeared in a relatively short time from the late Eighteenth century onwards.

The reason for this was very largely down to Napoleon whose invasion of Prussia and subsequent blockade of trade to England jeopardised Britain’s food supplies. There was a widespread move to enclose and farm land which was seen as unproductive as illustrated by this enthusiastic quotation from one MP:

"Let us not be satisfied with the liberation of Egpyt or the subjugation of Malta, but let us subdue Finchley Common, let us conquer Hounslow Heath, let us compel Epping Forest to submit to the yoke of improvement."

Areas such as the Somerset levels were drained and enclosed, and John Knight started farming on the previously unsettled reaches of Exmoor. The changes to the fieldscape in Stogumber were very much part of this national picture.

1796 Charlwood Common

All of the unenclosed land in the parish disappeared and became privately owned fields by 1840 including the 1,000 year old open fields at Ashbeer and Preston.

Apart from the Quantock Hills, all of the land around the villagewas enclosed by hedges and the landscape that is with us today was largely intact by the mid C19th..

This map above is of an area that was formerly a common pasture known as Charlwood Common. It ran from Higher Kingswood through to Vellow.

Commoners had the right to graze stock and gather fuel from the land. The common is shown on this map from 1796.

1840 Charlwood Common

This is an extract from a letter from John Wyndham to Sir John Trevalyen at Nettlecombe Court.

Sir

I understand by my tenant Exton that great wrongs are offered him daily in his common uppon Churlwood by means of inclosures made by one Hugh Dudridge and his attemptes to build a newe howse thereon. And so by litle and litle to abridge his right of Common …by former inclosures made in your fathers tyme so much of the hill hath bene taken awaie, as now there are remaining not Common sufficient to those that have interest of Common there; and that further .. grants (are) made by you to strangers for the taking of Common there.. that fretteth it with greater nomber of sheepe then the tenants of right might do themselves. I will no more endure it....

Eventually to resolve matters once and for all Sir John bought the commoners rights and became the de facto owner of the land.

The map above shows it in 1840: Charlwood common had disappeared and been turned into three privately owned fields – Long Close, Yonder Charlwood and Middle Charlwood.

These three fields were planted with grain – probably oats.

By 1840 nearly three quarters of all agricultural land in the parish had been turned to arable production.