The popular image of the borderlands, between England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, is one dom... more The popular image of the borderlands, between England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, is one dominated by violence in a sparsely populated desolate landscape. The view of the Anglo-Scottish border as a largely unsettled area has influenced landscape management, particularly in the 20th century, with the creation of extensive areas of forestry plantation. Recent archaeological work in a small part of the border, in the modern English county of Cumbria, is beginning to reveal another perspective. Using a 1603 survey in conjunction with archaeological landscape survey, the late medieval landscape can be reconstructed, revealing a denser settlement pattern of farmsteads and hamlets, surrounded by large fields, many of which were cultivated. The process of settlement abandonment and shrinkage was just beginning in the early 17th century, but the main period of desertion seems to be linked to after the pacification of the borderlands, when agricultural improvement and landscape-scale reorganisation would have been more achievable. The survey shows that the popular image of the borderlands is overly simplistic, and that it is the result of complex processes that requires greater understanding of its historic development.
The tercentenary of the birth of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was in 2016. To help mark the annive... more The tercentenary of the birth of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was in 2016. To help mark the anniversary , archaeological desk-based research, survey and excavations were carried out at Rothley High Lake on the Wallington estate in Northumberland. The estate has close associations with Brown, who was born at nearby Kirkharle. The project examined the nature of the neglected designed landscape at the lake and helped to untangle the story behind the creation of the designed landscape around the High Lake. Even though Brown is known to have designed the adjacent Low Lake, no direct involve ment with Brown was found at the High Lake, despite the lake's 'Brownian' style. Even so, Rothley High Lake and its environs was part of an appreciation of landscape based on movement and experiencing scenery from both land and water.
Part one of an online publication for Cumbria County Council. This is a guidance document for the... more Part one of an online publication for Cumbria County Council. This is a guidance document for the county of Cumbria, outside of the Lake District National Park
The popular image of the borderlands, between England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, is one dom... more The popular image of the borderlands, between England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, is one dominated by violence in a sparsely populated desolate landscape. The view of the Anglo-Scottish border as a largely unsettled area has influenced landscape management, particularly in the 20th century, with the creation of extensive areas of forestry plantation. Recent archaeological work in a small part of the border, in the modern English county of Cumbria, is beginning to reveal another perspective. Using a 1603 survey in conjunction with archaeological landscape survey, the late medieval landscape can be reconstructed, revealing a denser settlement pattern of farmsteads and hamlets, surrounded by large fields, many of which were cultivated. The process of settlement abandonment and shrinkage was just beginning in the early 17th century, but the main period of desertion seems to be linked to after the pacification of the borderlands, when agricultural improvement and landscape-scale reorganisation would have been more achievable. The survey shows that the popular image of the borderlands is overly simplistic, and that it is the result of complex processes that requires greater understanding of its historic development.
The tercentenary of the birth of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was in 2016. To help mark the annive... more The tercentenary of the birth of Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was in 2016. To help mark the anniversary , archaeological desk-based research, survey and excavations were carried out at Rothley High Lake on the Wallington estate in Northumberland. The estate has close associations with Brown, who was born at nearby Kirkharle. The project examined the nature of the neglected designed landscape at the lake and helped to untangle the story behind the creation of the designed landscape around the High Lake. Even though Brown is known to have designed the adjacent Low Lake, no direct involve ment with Brown was found at the High Lake, despite the lake's 'Brownian' style. Even so, Rothley High Lake and its environs was part of an appreciation of landscape based on movement and experiencing scenery from both land and water.
Part one of an online publication for Cumbria County Council. This is a guidance document for the... more Part one of an online publication for Cumbria County Council. This is a guidance document for the county of Cumbria, outside of the Lake District National Park
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