Speaking for themselves : the significance of field-names in understanding a diverse historic landscape in Somerset
This thesis reflects on the value of the study of field-names in understanding the historic landscape of Somerset. The post-medieval field-names recorded in the nineteenth century Tithe surveys of Somerset represent a comprehensive resource which offers evidence of how the people of a parish experienced and managed their working environment. This investigation considers field-names in their landscape, drawing on sources which offer indications of how the community understood and appreciated local conditions. The study will begin with sources post-1600, although earlier material will be included where appropriate. Wider sources such as records of archaeological investigations and aerial photography will allow additional insights into the nuanced naming of fields, boundaries and routeways and the changes which occurred over time. The focus of the study is particularly on the relationship between field-names and locality and how naming practices differed across contrasting parish settings. A key finding in this investigation was that field-names communicated a broad range of detailed information about the environment of the parish and the wider working countryside. A significant conclusion was that although parishes
Knibb, Madeleine
Landscape Archaeology
Speaking for themselves : the significance of field-names in understanding a diverse historic landscape in Somerset. This thesis reflects on the value of the study of field-names in understanding the historic landscape of Somerset. The post-medieval field-names recorded in the nineteenth century Tithe surveys of Somerset represent a comprehensive resource which offers evidence of how the people of a parish experienced and managed their working environment. This investigation considers field-names in their landscape, drawing on sources which offer indications of how the community understood and appreciated local conditions. The study will begin with sources post-1600, although earlier material will be included where appropriate. Wider sources such as records of archaeological investigations and aerial photography will allow additional insights into the nuanced naming of fields, boundaries and routeways and the changes which occurred over time. The focus of the study is particularly on the relationship between field-names and locality and how naming practices differed across contrasting parish settings. A key finding in this investigation was that field-names communicated a broad range of detailed information about the environment of the parish and the wider working countryside. A significant conclusion was that although parishes
speaking significance field names diverse historic_landscape somerset reflect value study field names historic_landscape somerset post_medieval field names record tithe survey somerset represent comprehensive resource offer evidence people parish experience manage work environment investigation considers field names landscape draw source offer indication community understood appreciate local_condition study_begin source post although early material_include appropriate wider source record archaeological_investigation aerial_photography allow additional insight nuanced naming field boundary change_occur time focus study particularly relationship field names locality naming practice differ across contrast parish setting key find investigation field names communicate broad_range detail information environment parish wider work countryside significant conclusion although parish