Information for record number MWA9893:
Four merestones found south east of Stratford upon Avon

Summary Four merestones or ownership markers which survive in Alveston Pasture. They date from the nineteenth century.
What Is It?  
Type: Boundary Marker
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 23 52
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Inscribed merestones or boundary markers of two types which still survive in woodland in Alveston pasture. The stones identify the ownership of four leys in Rucksley Gate Furlong, part of Bushey Quarter which was itself part of the medieval open field of Alveston pasture. It was in multiple ownership until the 20th century. The leys were identified with permanent markers showing the owners' initials or mark. These markers were probably wooden posts but map evidence of the 19th century suggests that stones or merestones were replacing posts. Three stones were erected by a Mr. J. C. Adkins at some time in the 30 years ending in 1872. The fourth stone was associated with an unidentifed owner using the initial L.
2 These surviving merestones are part of a more extensive system of similar posts arranged along access roads within Alveston pasture, as marked on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Map
Title: First Edition
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1886
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Four Merestones in South Warwickshire
Author/originator: John and Jane Brace
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument OPEN FIELD * An area of arable land with common rights after harvest or while fallow. Usually without internal divisions (hedges, walls or fences). back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument PASTURE * A field covered with herbage for the grazing of livestock. back
monument GATE * A movable stucture which enables or prevents entrance to be gained. Usually situated in a wall or similar barrier and supported by gate posts. back
monument BOUNDARY MARKER * A marker of some form used to indicate the limit of an area or a piece of land. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record