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Summary

A Medieval field system situated on the western flank of Birch Tor in the Redwater Valley. The remains have been badly disturbed by post-medieval and later tinworking but eight fields may be identified, including two which have evidence of lynchets running along the contour. Most of the boundaries are of a hedgebank type consisting of a simple earthwork bank and ditch, although some stony prehistoric enclosures have been incorporated into the northern part of the system. The system is certainly associated with the deserted settlement at SX 6850 8075 and probably with further vestiges of fields on the west side and head of the Redwater valley on the slopes of Birch Tor.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021340: Tinworks, field systems, settlements, warren, cairns and a stone alignment at Headland Warren

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68SE328
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1339565
• Old SAM Ref Revised: 34499

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• FIELD SYSTEM (Constructed, XII to XV - 1200 AD (Between) to 1450 AD (Between))

Full description

Newman, P., 2001, Headland Warren Part 2: Medieval Settlement and Enclosures, 5-7, Figure 2-3 (Report - Survey). SDV360131.

(10/07/2001) A Medieval field system situated on the western flank of Birch Tor in the Redwater Valley. The remains have been badly disturbed by post-medieval and later tinworking but eight fields may be identified, including two which have evidence of lynchets running along the contour. Most of the boundaries are of a hedgebank type consisting of a simple earthwork bank and ditch, although some stony prehistoric enclosures have been incorporated into the northern part of the system. The system is certainly associated with the deserted settlement at SX 6850 8075 (SX 68 SE 312) and probably with further vestiges of fields on the west side and head of the Redwater valley SX 68 SE 337) on the slopes of Birch Tor (SX 68 SE 338).
The main area of the remains of the Medieval field system is on the south-west slope of Birch Tor on a large peninsula of land surrounded on three sides by tinworking. This is the area closest to and immediately north of the deserted Medieval settlement with the prevailing axis being south-south-east to north-north-west. These fields are shown on Figure 2 and Numbered 1-8. Some of the fields (Fields 1 and 3) appear to be subdivided into narrower strips including some faint lynchets. The most northerly of the fields (Fields 4-8) are more curving in form and appear to be later attachments or possibly outfield. It was during this probable later phase that part of a Prehistoric enclosure (Field 7) was incorporated into the system. Map object partly based on this source.
South of the tinwork which transects the Medieval settlement the axis is continued by two banks, one with a substantial ditch, running south to meet the east to west Challacombe stone wall that marks the Parish boundary. The western of the two banks continues south of the boundary wall. To the west of these two field boundaries short sections of another boundary and a short section of lynchet are shown on Figure 2. Further west the probable course of another field boundary is shown running south from the tinworks to the boundary wall. Map object partly based on this source.

Historic England, 2017, National Heritage List for England, 1021340 (National Heritage List for England). SDV359963.

During the Medieval period much of Headland Warren was enclosed by a series of fields many of which would have been associated with the farmstead at NGR SX 68488076. The farmstead includes at least two longhouses and associated enclosures.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7139 - Headland Warren and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines Survey (Ref: A1/20/2001, A1/34/2002)

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