The Medieval Park of Erringden: Hebden Bridge

Abstract

and even moves on to consider the implications for future environmental management. The preservation of tree cover, enhanced by the medieval practice of feeding tree hay to cattle in winter, is noted, while ‘Southern England is amongst the three areas of the UK to show slightly higher densities of cattle grazing in woodland sites’ (p. 252). This has the added benefits of trees preventing erosion, shelter and shade. Cattle can prove useful here providing grazing pressure is regulated, and knowledge of medieval practices can be valuable, coupled with practical studies such as those being carried out today at Knepp. This is a formidable study of considerable value and the promise of similar studies in other regions is keenly awaited.