Agr Hist Rev 55 (2)

The paper aims to explore the hypothesis that the agricultural layouts and organisation that had developed into common fields by the high middle ages may have had their origins in the `long' eighth century, between about 670 and 840 AD. The author begins by reiterating the distinction between medieval open and common fields, and the problems that inhibit current explanations for their period of origin and distribution. The distribution of common fields is reviewed and the coincidence with the kingdom of Mercia noted. Evidence pointing towards an earlier date for the origin of fields is reviewed. Current views of Mercia in the `long' eighth century are discussed and it is shown that the kingdom had both the cultural and economic vitality to implement far-reaching landscape organisation. The proposition that early forms of these field systems may have originated in the `long' eighth century is considered, and the paper concludes with suggestions for further research.

The paper considers the financial effects of the government's direction of agriculture in the pastoral uplands of England during the Great War through a study of the West Ward of Westmorland. The policy enforced a shift to arable cultivation in areas unsuited to it. The paper shows that it was the most marginal farmers at the highest elevations who were least disrupted by wartime direction and who saw the greatest increases in net cash returns.