Publisher's Synopsis
Based on an enormous amount of original research, this in-depth study of parks created in Hertfordshire between the 11th and the 15th centuries paints a vivid picture of this medieval county and illuminates a significant aspect of its landscape history. This account analyzes the reasoning behind the spatial organization of the parks as well as the management carried out by the owners. From park gates and fishponds to the distribution of woodlands and economic viability, this comprehensive guide explores the minutiae and the necessary elements of medieval parks. All the data for each park is presented in a valuable gazetteer with the cartographic and field evidence that has been used to locate the parks in today's landscape.
