ENCLOSURE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SPONDON

Throughout this part of England, farming was organised on a similar pattern. The land of the Manor was divided as follows: -

The Three Fields

In Spondon all crops were grown on three very big fields, called Derby Field, Burrow Field and Brook Field. You can see clearly how big the Derby Field was. It extended from West Road down to about the railway line, and from Lodge Lane to a point about 300 yards beyond the Raynesway Island in the direction of Derby. Each field was divided into strips of land roughly 22 yards wide and 220 yards long. For typical strips see the map of the Manor of Spondune and for the Old English land measurements. The strips of each person would be scattered throughout the three fields so that the good and bad land was fairly shared out. The important men, known as villeins, would have more land than the others, known as bordars. Each strip was separated from the next by a turf balk and all crops had to be sown and harvested at the same time. Much time would be wasted in having to move from one strip to another in a difference part of the field, and the poor farmers could have an adverse effect on the crops of neighbours. In one year only two of the fields would be in use for crops and the third field would lie fallow (given a rest) so that it could recover some of its fertility.

The Common Meadow

In Spondon this was situated down in the valley of the river Derwent. The word meadow means 'mowing land', and this was strictly preserved for hay for winter feed, though it would probably have been used for grazing outside the traditional grass growing season (Lady Day, March 25th to Lammas, August 1st).

The Common Waste

This was situated to the north of Brook Field in the direction of Locko Park and could be used by all. It was divided into Waste, Moor, and the Leys. The villagers could use the Waste for fuel and for food for pigs, geese etc. The Leys would be used as pasture for the cattle but since this, like the hay, was limited, many cattle would be slaughtered in the Autumn and salted for Winter meat.