Medieval
During the Medieval period, the countryside was probably the most open it has ever been.
Early Medieval
In the first part of the medieval period, up until AD 1250, the climate was mild, warm and dry. Agriculture spread onto low-lying areas, woodland and hay meadows were carefully managed, and new outlying settlements, like that within Castle Hill, appeared. Interestingly, there is beech charcoal in the pits from this settlement, so possibly there were beeches on the hilltop then.
Overall, the countryside was probably the most open it has ever been, with no hedges between strips in the open fields. The Normans introduced rabbits, which were at first farmed and managed, but soon escaped and ran wild.
Mid Medieval
The climate worsened during the mid Medieval period, and famine and disease (most famously the Black Death) followed in the 14th century. The population decrease lead to many outlying farms being abandoned.
With this came a shift towards sheep farming. Fleeces were collected and shipped out via Abingdon and later Reading. Arable farming continued to be very important locally, however, as Leland's visit in 1540 speaks of rich fields of corn on Castle Hill.
Late Medieval
In the post-medieval period the manor passed into private hands, and enclosure gradually replaced the open fields.
Rural farms, such as Hill Farm, and clusters of farm labourers cottages, such as Littletown, appeared.
| Find out more... The devastating impact of the Black Death on rural communities www.bbc.co.uk/history |
