Monument record MLI91483 - South Common, Lincoln
Summary
South Common has been common land since at least the medieval period and remains so today although its area is much reduced.
Type and Period (10)
- COMMON LAND (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 2050 AD)
- QUARRY (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1800 AD?)
- CRICKET PITCH (Post Medieval to Mid 20th Century - 1876 AD to 1950 AD?)
- FOOTBALL PITCH (Early 20th Century to Mid 20th Century - 1911 AD to 1950 AD?)
- GOLF COURSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1890 AD? to 2050 AD)
- RIFLE BUTTS (Post Medieval to Early 20th Century - 1750 AD? to 1920 AD?)
- PROMENADE (Post Medieval - 1844 AD to 1899 AD?)
- WEAPONS TESTING SITE (First World War - 1914 AD to 1918 AD)
- PARK (Post Medieval to Modern - 1830 AD? to 2050 AD)
- MILITARY TRAINING SITE (Post Medieval to Early 20th Century - 1750 AD? to 1920 AD?)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
[Note - the polygon for this site shows its current area, not its historical area.]
South Common (also known as Canwick Common until the late 18th century) has been common land since at least the medieval period. Residents of Canwick and Wigford had the right to graze animals including cattle, horses, sheep and pigs on the common at certain times of the year and it was also used by St Catherine's Priory (see PRN 70401) and the Malandry (see PRN 70159), both of which pastured stock there. St Catherine's also appear to have made use of the springs on the common and may have built conduits and cisterns there. They also constructed at least one windmill on the land. There were several disputes between the city and the religious houses over their use of the common. During the medieval and early post-medieval period the common was much larger than it currently is and included areas known as the Cow Paddle and the Swine Pasture.
The Enclosure Act of 1787 set boundaries for the common and following this it ceased to be called Canwick Common and residents of Canwick lost their rights to graze stock there. Following this, the common grew steadily smaller as land was sold off for housing and part of the Cow Paddle was used for a new cemetery. The Lincoln to Grantham railway also cut across the northern part of the common in 1867. By the 19th century, leisure was an increasingly important use of the common land, although stock was still grazed there. Cricket and football pitches were constructed as well as a golf course and a formal promenade was created running along the southern edge of the common. The earthwork remains of these features cover much of the common. Events such as circuses and agricultural shows were also held there. A cycling track and a horse racing track were both proposed for the common but were never constructed.
The common was also used by local militia and volunteer regiments for drills, assemblies and training from the mid 18th century. Several shooting butts were constructed on the common, probably during the 18th century. These remained in use, and were repaired and added to, during the 19th century but appear to have gone out of use during the early 20th century although earthwork remains survive. During the First World War, the common was used as a testing site for early tanks and earthwork remains of trenches cut for this still survive.
The common has also been used for quarrying from at least the medieval period if not earlier, and extensive earthwork remains related to this survive. Limestone and brick clay were both quarried. The quarries appear to have gone out of use by the 19th century, however, as they do not appear on maps of the period and two of the larger pits were landscaped and turned into ponds. {1}{2}
Sources/Archives (2)
- <1> SLI11814 Report: English Heritage. 2005. South Common, Lincoln: An Archaeological Investigation of an Urban Open Space. -.
- <2> SLI12843 Bibliographic Reference: Bowden, Mark; Brown, Graham; and Smith, Nicky. 2009. An Archaeology of Town Commons in England: 'A very fair field indeed'. -.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 97760 69243 (1222m by 1570m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | PARK, LINCOLN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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