Leafield Edge medieval settlement

The distinctive, difficult upland environment means that many of the medieval settlement sites relate to specialist enterprises, once closely linked to settlement located in the adjacent lowlands, such as shielings, but the extensive remains of medieval arable farming raise many unanswered questions about medieval land use and settlement, touching economic, climatic and population change.

Leafield Edge medieval settlement is well preserved and retains significant archaeological deposits. It is a form of settlement which characterises the area is therefore an important example of settlement diversity in England. Additionally, the presence of an associated field system enhances the importance of the monument, which will contribute greatly to our understanding of land use and settlement in the uplands at this time.

The monument includes the remains of an upland deserted medieval village and an associated field system situated on north east facing slopes centred on the Leafield Burn. The remains of the village are situated at the western edge of the field system and include the remains of at least nine rectangular buildings, visible as slight earthworks and low turf-covered walls which vary in height from 0.1m to 0.7m. The rectangular buildings are associated with a series of rectangular and sub-rectangular enclosures surrounded by 0.4m high stony banks. The interior of the rectangular buildings are divided by internal compartments and cross passages and are interpreted as houses. Alongside the houses are several buildings without internal divisions and with narrower walls; these are considered to be associated barns. Associated with the village is an extensive and contemporary field system visible as areas of medieval ridge and furrow laid out into clearly recognisable fields. The whole of the field system and most of the village is surrounded by a head dyke visible as a stony bank approximately 0.5m high and 3.1m wide. The presence of the head dyke indicates that the full extent of the field system associated with the village is present.