Observations on the open fields: the present position of studies in British field systems

Debate over the orgins and development of field systems in the British Isles continues within the framework provided by a collection of studies published in 1973. Some of the criticisms made by reviewers of that collective volume are answered here but this discussion paper focuses principally on two sets of arguments which have given a different emphasis to the debate on field systems during the past six years. This paper considers first McCloskey's view of open fields as products of behaviour towards risk and then Dodgshon's re-interpretation of the evolution of field systems in relation to changes in law.