WHAT IS THE DESIGNATION OF THE “COMMON FİELD    SYSTEM” UTILIZED IN ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND?

Sultan Gürsoy

Article Details

WHAT IS THE DESIGNATION OF THE “COMMON FİELD SYSTEM” UTILIZED IN ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND?

Authors:

Sultan Gürsoy

Publisher:

Ayla KAŞOĞLU

Main Topics:

Ortaçağ Avrupa Tarihi

Journal:

Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 42, pp.284-300

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001342267

pISSN:

2147-2610

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The initial studies of the land systems employed in Anglo-Saxon England were conducted by H. L. Gray in his work, English Field System, and by C. S. and C. S. Orwins in The Open Fields. The objective of both works is to elucidate the genesis of the common-field system. Gray posits that it was a pre-existing plan of cultivation that was imported from the continent by the Anglo-Saxons. The Orwins regarded this collaboration as a prudent approach to agriculture in the context of pioneering settlements, providing a safeguard against starvation and famine. Both theories continue to enjoy a degree of support, largely due to the absence of alternative explanations. However, a body of recent research in agricultural studies has yielded evidence that challenges the traditional framework, and a comprehensive re-evaluation of the subject remains to be undertaken. In undertaking this assessment, it is essential to consider the body of literature from Western Europe, given the widespread adoption of the common field system across the region. Such systems may exhibit comparable characteristics to those observed in England. The common field system is comprised of four fundamental elements. The first aspect to be considered is the division of fields and meadows into strips among the farmers. Secondly, following the harvest and throughout the fallow season, both the agricultural fields and the meadows are opened to common grazing by the general population. Thirdly, there are common pastures and vacant lands where farmers have the right to graze animals and collect other products, including timber, stone and coal. Fourthly, the sequence of these activities was regulated by the manor court, an assembly of farmers, at a village meeting in the majority of cases during the Middle Ages, as well as in instances where there was a greater number of manors in townships. This study presents a novel theory regarding the genesis of the common field system, which is developed through an examination of the significant studies conducted on the subject in England and Western Europe to date.

 The initial studies of the land systems employed in Anglo-Saxon England were conducted by H. L. Gray in his work, English Field System, and by C. S. and C. S. Orwins in The Open Fields. The objective of both works is to elucidate the genesis of the common-field system. Gray posits that it was a pre-existing plan of cultivation that was imported from the continent by the Anglo-Saxons. The Orwins regarded this collaboration as a prudent approach to agriculture in the context of pioneering settlements, providing a safeguard against starvation and famine. Both theories continue to enjoy a degree of support, largely due to the absence of alternative explanations. However, a body of recent research in agricultural studies has yielded evidence that challenges the traditional framework, and a comprehensive re-evaluation of the subject remains to be undertaken. In undertaking this assessment, it is essential to consider the body of literature from Western Europe, given the widespread adoption of the common field system across the region. Such systems may exhibit comparable characteristics to those observed in England. The common field system is comprised of four fundamental elements. The first aspect to be considered is the division of fields and meadows into strips among the farmers. Secondly, following the harvest and throughout the fallow season, both the agricultural fields and the meadows are opened to common grazing by the general population. Thirdly, there are common pastures and vacant lands where farmers have the right to graze animals and collect other products, including timber, stone and coal. Fourthly, the sequence of these activities was regulated by the manor court, an assembly of farmers, at a village meeting in the majority of cases during the Middle Ages, as well as in instances where there was a greater number of manors in townships. This study presents a novel theory regarding the genesis of the common field system, which is developed through an examination of the significant studies conducted on the subject in England and Western Europe to date.

 The initial studies of the land systems employed in Anglo-Saxon England were conducted by H. L. Gray in his work, English Field System, and by C. S. and C. S. Orwins in The Open Fields. The objective of both works is to elucidate the genesis of the common-field system. Gray posits that it was a pre-existing plan of cultivation that was imported from the continent by the Anglo-Saxons. The Orwins regarded this collaboration as a prudent approach to agriculture in the context of pioneering settlements, providing a safeguard against starvation and famine. Both theories continue to enjoy a degree of support, largely due to the absence of alternative explanations. However, a body of recent research in agricultural studies has yielded evidence that challenges the traditional framework, and a comprehensive re-evaluation of the subject remains to be undertaken. In undertaking this assessment, it is essential to consider the body of literature from Western Europe, given the widespread adoption of the common field system across the region. Such systems may exhibit comparable characteristics to those observed in England. The common field system is comprised of four fundamental elements. The first aspect to be considered is the division of fields and meadows into strips among the farmers. Secondly, following the harvest and throughout the fallow season, both the agricultural fields and the meadows are opened to common grazing by the general population. Thirdly, there are common pastures and vacant lands where farmers have the right to graze animals and collect other products, including timber, stone and coal. Fourthly, the sequence of these activities was regulated by the manor court, an assembly of farmers, at a village meeting in the majority of cases during the Middle Ages, as well as in instances where there was a greater number of manors in townships. This study presents a novel theory regarding the genesis of the common field system, which is developed through an examination of the significant studies conducted on the subject in England and Western Europe to date.

 Anglo-Sakson İngilteresinde kullanılan toprak sistemleri üzerine yapılan ilk araştırmalar, H. L. Grayın İngiliz Tarla Sistemi English Field System ve C. S. ve C. S. Orwinsin Açık Tarla The Open Fields adlı eserleridir. Her iki eserde ortak tarla sisteminin common-field system kökenini açıklamaya çalışmaktadır. Gray, bunu Anglo-Saksonlar tarafından Kıtadan ithal edilen hazır bir ekim planı olarak görmektedir. Orwinler ise bu iş birliğini açlığa ve kıtlığa karşı bir sigorta olan öncü koşullarda sağduyulu bir çiftçilik yöntemi olarak görüyorlardı. Her iki teori de onların yerine henüz hiçbir alternatifin sunulmamış olması gibi basit bir nedenden ötürü hala belirli bir ölçüde destek görüyor. Ancak son yıllarda tarımla ilgili konularda yapılan bir dizi çalışma, eski çerçeveye pek uymayan kanıtlar ortaya koydu ve konunun yeni bir değerlendirilmesi henüz yapılmadı. Bu değerlendirmeyi yaparken Batı Avrupadaki biriken yabancı literatürü de hesaba katmamız gerekiyor çünkü hepsinde ortak tarla sistemi kullanılmıştır. Bunların İngilteredeki sistemle benzer yönleri bulunabilir. Ortak tarla sistemi dört temel unsurdan oluşmaktadır. İlk olarak, tarla ve çayırlar çiftçiler arasında şeritlere bölünür. İkincisi, hasattan sonra ve nadas mevsimlerinde hem tarım alanları hem de çayırlar tüm halk tarafından ortak otlatmaya açılır. Üçüncüsü, çiftçilerin hayvan otlatma, kereste, taş ve kömür gibi diğer ürünleri toplama hakkına sahip olduğu ortak otlak ve boş araziler vardır. Dördüncüsü, bu faaliyetlerin düzeni, orta çağda çoğu yerde ve townshiplerde birden fazla manorun bulunduğu durumlarda, bir köy toplantısında, çiftçilerden oluşan bir meclis olan manor mahkemesi tarafından düzenlenirdi. Bu çalışmanın amacı konuyla ilgili bu zamana kadar hem İngilterede hem de Batı Avrupada yapılan önemli çalışmalar incelenerek ortak tarla sisteminin kökeni hakkında yeni bir teori sunmaktır.

Article Details

WHAT IS THE DESIGNATION OF THE “COMMON FİELD SYSTEM” UTILIZED IN ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND?

Authors:

Sultan Gürsoy

Publisher:

Ayla KAŞOĞLU

Main Topics:

Ortaçağ Avrupa Tarihi

Journal:

Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 42, pp.284-300

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001342267

pISSN:

2147-2610

Anglo-Saxon

Land System

Europe

Early Medieval

Common FieldAnglo-Sakson

Toprak Sistemi

Avrupa

Erken Ortaçağ

Ortak Tarla

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Sultan Gürsoy

Publisher: Ayla KAŞOĞLU

Main Topics: Ortaçağ Avrupa Tarihi

Journal: Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 42, pp.284-300

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 2/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001342267

pISSN: 2147-2610

Issues

Authors:

Sultan Gürsoy

Publisher:

Ayla KAŞOĞLU

Main Topics:

Ortaçağ Avrupa Tarihi

Journal:

Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi Vol.13 Issue 42, pp.284-300

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

2/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001342267

pISSN:

2147-2610