In the territory of Auchencrow: long continuity or late development in early Scottish field-systems?

Abstract

A distinctive common or open field (iqfield/outfield) was the foundation of economic activity in many Scottish settlements before 18th-century enclosure and improvement. It was assumed to be an ancient system, a point confirmed in 1962 by research into charters of the period 1100-1300. Notions of long continuity were challenged in 1973 using a geographical model, which suggested 'outfield' was actually a late-medieval development of an earlier 'iqfield'(-only) regime and argued that an early fiscal assessment was adapted to tax new 'out-of-field' lands. This paper examines the field system of the particularly well documented village of Auchencrow (Scottish Borders) and problems of interpretation posed by medieval 'extents'. Although one should not give any over-precise meaning to the Auchencrow 'acre', the medieval evidence suggests that the infield/outfield acreage of 1715 corresponds to structures documented for 1430 and 1298 and may preserve landholding units dating back to (at least) 1157 or 1146. The 'planned' village which existed in the 12th century was still discernible in 1715, but although the evidence points to long continuity of field-systems, documentary research has limited scope even for Auchencrow. An integrated approach, drawing on archaeology and environmental sciences as well as economic history, is needed to take matters further.