The hedgerow evidence is undeniable for botanists but historians steeped in years of learning may feel dubious so a hunt began to compare fields on old maps with the O.S. maps to find differences. It was notable that many small, irregular fields became rectangular and measurable in actus, 120 Roman feet. Saxons had bigger feet so an actus is 116.5 feet on O.S. maps. Centuria of 20 by 20 actus were granted to retired soldiers and were free of tax. Centuria of 20 by 24 actus were taxable.
Then I saw that field 21 (south of the farm) on Figg’s map of Washbrook’s was a 5 actus square, 1/16th of a tax-free centuria, but on pre1970 O.S. maps it was a 5 by 6 actus field, 1/16th of a taxable centuria. A 5 by 5 actus field should be 7.789acres and the 5 by 6 field 9.347 acres. On the 1939 O.S. map the 5 by 6 actus field is 9.549 acres, close!
The field north of Washbrook farm is always awash by the brook. The banked footpath provides a dry passage and is shown as a road on Figg’s map. It would be a focal point for an ex-service man to guard but less important as peace was established. The Romans did not update all their maps!
Small irregular fields seen on old maps are seen on O.S. maps as rectangular and measurable in actus. The old maps were probably drawn in the first century. This indicates the “gentle” approach of a welcome new force. Later Roman Rulers tidied up those fields but did not update their maps. This one fact, the difference between the two maps, field 21 of Figg’s map of Washbrook’s and the old O.S. map, convinced me that it really was a copy of an early Roman map.
Note on Roman measurements
A tax free centuria is 20 x 20 actus = 400 square actus
A taxable centuria is 20 x 24 actus = 480 square actus
Tax free fields of 5 x 5 actus are 1/16th of 400 square actus
Taxable fields of 5 x 6 actus are 1/16th of 480 square actus
Fields 8 x 10 actus, 80 square actus are 1/5th of 480 square actus
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