In my opinion the best book on medieval england after Platt is David Hinton's
book _Arcaheology, Economy and Society: England from the fifth to the
fifteenth century_
However, post-fast architecture is not a common of feature of late medieval
never mind C17 England nor are defended enclosures except along the scots
borders and in northern Ireland. The South Witham site was a monastic grange
(farm). These tended to be geared to sheep farming in that part of the world
and all came to an end at the dissolution in the 1530s. Many survived as
secular farms though most of what we know about there subsequent development
comes from maps. Loose courtyard arrangements seem to be the norm as in many
modern farms. Out buildings on medieval and later manorial farms included
stock houses, stables, barns, granaries, malting kilns, breweries, horse mills
etc. Medieval manors were normally surrounded by ditches (moats) or stone
walls. The former were probably largely defuct by the C17. Hedges were
probably the normal substitute in clay areas. Howevevr, I don't think you
should be looking for a close English parallel, certainly not from the Middle
Ages, but a functional explanation in terms of defence or stock control.
paul courtney, leicester, UK
steve boxley wrote:
All,
We are currently excavating a site in Virginia that in layout is
looking like a medieval domestic enclosure! It contains many post set
structures around the inside perimeter of a palisade, with a smaller
palisade within. It is similiar, but on a smaller scale, to the South
Witham (Lincs.) site illustrated in Colin Platt's "Medieval England"
book(page 61). It dates to the mid-to-late 17th century. I am wondering
if there are any 17th-century examples of this type of domestic enclosure
in Britain. Yes, I know there were no Indians there!
Also, as a side note, can anyone recommend a good
social/historical/archaeological book on medieval England, along the
lines of Platt's book. There is a fairly limited supply at the local
book store over here across "the pond". And I hate to buy a book sight
unseen, I have gotten too many very dry social theory type books that
way. Malthus was enough for me. Thanks.
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