| Description | AP of the valley side showing situation of Lower, Middle and Higher Longfield Farms with associated cottages and buildings. It is presumed that there are no medieval buildings left here (but check with Buildings officer, two are listed believed to be C16th)and the surrounding landscape is enclosed with no obvious vestige of medieval farming (but see PRN 4742 there is a large area of possible former open field arable c. 500 m. to the south east). However, Langfield (note spelling change) was enumerated as a vill in 1086 and it is presumed that the present farms may indicate the nucleus of the 11th century settlement (although there is no guarantee that this was nucleated). Settlement today is concentrated in the valley bottom as a result of the industrial growth of the 18th and 19th centuries. Fieldwork by WYAS in first instance to look at the existing farm buildings and to identify any earthwork remains in their vicinity which might suggest shrinkage of settlement. Visited in connection with Planning Application 94/40/02841 (December 1994). All farms are surrounded by a conglomerate of modern agricultural buildings. Slight ridge and furrow (c. 3m. between crests) is visible between Middle and Higher Longfield Farm, but I was told by the applicant's father that this was due to his father ploughing this area during WWII. Other slight earthworks to S. of Lower/Middle farm complex, but appeared to be associated with old drainage ditches dug across field, now flooding. Apparently there had been a sort of scoop there (possible quarry hollow) until filled in c.20 years ago. The old farmer was adamant that the farms were always called Longfield (named as such on 1st ed. OS map) and felt that any earlier settlement called Langfield more likely to be in the Mankinholes area on the edge of Langfield Common. Land had last been ploughed for re seeding at the end of WWII. No knowledge of slight earthworks on any of their land. |