Monument record MDR13536 - Ridge and furrow and field boundaries, north of Cutler Brook, Kedleston Park

A number of 16th and 17th century deeds held in the Kedleston Muniment Room suggest that the area of rough grassland and scrub woodland immediately to the north of Cutler Brook and west of Hay Wood once former an area of open meadow ground in the manor of Little Ireton. This meadow ground was divided in to several closes. The area in question is bounded to the north by a boundary ditch [SMR 27817]. The ditch is abutted to the south by faint ridge and furrow ploughing orientated both east-west and north-south. To the south and west the ridges extend up to a low bank c. 50-60 centimetres high and 1.8 metres wide. It is almost certain that the bank defines the southwest corner of the Low Field and that the ridge and furrow ploughing is a surviving remnant within that former open field. The bank crosses a small spring mentioned in the 17th century deeds as dividing two meadows named Snapes Pringle and Pullet Meadow. The outline of this bank is similar to that seen on the c. 1721 plan. A second bank to the south probably defines the southern edge of Snapes Pringle, as is also indicated by the c. 1721 plan. (1)