Ancient Tenements
Encyclopedia
The Ancient Tenements are the oldest surviving farms on Dartmoor
, in England
. They have been established here since 14th century, and possibly earlier.
In Mediæval Britain, grazing rights
within the boundaries of the Forest of Dartmoor were strictly limited. However a few settlers were permitted to build farms there, and to release their livestock on surrounding land. These farms became known as the Ancient Tenements, and many still survive today, such as Babeny
, Bellever
, Brimpts, Brownberry, Dunnabridge, Dury, Hartyland, Hexworthy
, Huccaby, Lakehead, Merripit, Pizwell, Prince Hall, Riddon, Runnage, and Sherberton.
Many still feature buildings that are of mediæval origins, including elements of their original longhouses
:
The majority are Grade II listed and some are Grade II* (particularly important buildings of special interest).
For centuries, these settlements were isolated from 'civilisation' - many miles from the nearest villages. And yet the inhabitants were still expected to travel many miles to church each Sunday, over hills and rough terrain. To make matters worse, the parish boundaries often bore little or no relation to the natural geography. However, in 1260, the Bishop decreed that the dead from Pizwell and neighbouring Babeny, could be taken to Widecombe-in-the-Moor
, which was much closer and more accessible.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
, in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. They have been established here since 14th century, and possibly earlier.
In Mediæval Britain, grazing rights
Grazing rights
Grazing rights is a legal term referring to the right of a user to allow their livestock to feed in a given area.- United States :...
within the boundaries of the Forest of Dartmoor were strictly limited. However a few settlers were permitted to build farms there, and to release their livestock on surrounding land. These farms became known as the Ancient Tenements, and many still survive today, such as Babeny
Babeny
Babeny is a village in Devon, England....
, Bellever
Bellever
Bellever is a hamlet in Dartmoor, Devon, England. It is located on the river East Dart about south of Postbridge.The first mention of a settlement at this location is in a Duchy of Cornwall record from 1355 which gives the name of a farm here as Welford,...
, Brimpts, Brownberry, Dunnabridge, Dury, Hartyland, Hexworthy
Hexworthy
Hexworthy is a hamlet on Dartmoor, in Devon, England. It lies on the West Dart River a mile upstream from Dartmeet. Historically in the parish of Lydford, since 1987 it has been in the civil parish of Dartmoor Forest....
, Huccaby, Lakehead, Merripit, Pizwell, Prince Hall, Riddon, Runnage, and Sherberton.
Many still feature buildings that are of mediæval origins, including elements of their original longhouses
Dartmoor longhouse
The Dartmoor longhouse is a type of traditional home, found on the high ground of Dartmoor, in Devon, England and belong to a wider tradition of combining human residences with those of livestock under a single roof. The earliest are thought to have been built in the 13th century, and they...
:
- Bellever’s medieval longhouse was demolished only last century when today’s farmhouse was built.
- Dunnabridge grew to become a cluster of small farms. Several of today’s barns show signs of chimneys - evidence that they were once inhabited.
- Dury Farm has an ancient fireplace and a flight of granite stairs winding around the chimney stack.
- Pizwell features a 16th century door and fireplace.
- Prince Hall (once known as Prynse Hall), is now a hotel and restaurant which stands on the site of the original farm.
- Riddon (originally Riddam) no longer has its original longhouse, although it does feature an ancient granite barn.
- Sherrill (often recorded as Sherwell) is a small hamlet containing a number of farm buildings and cottages. The farm still features its original longhouse, virtually intact, but now used as a barn, with a large porch constructed from slabs of granite.
The majority are Grade II listed and some are Grade II* (particularly important buildings of special interest).
For centuries, these settlements were isolated from 'civilisation' - many miles from the nearest villages. And yet the inhabitants were still expected to travel many miles to church each Sunday, over hills and rough terrain. To make matters worse, the parish boundaries often bore little or no relation to the natural geography. However, in 1260, the Bishop decreed that the dead from Pizwell and neighbouring Babeny, could be taken to Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe-in-the-Moor is a small village located within the heart of the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England. . The name is thought to derive from 'Withy-combe' which means Willow Valley....
, which was much closer and more accessible.