The farming year
Life in Laxton followed a regular pattern. The main agricultural events of the year were as follows:
| Time of year |
Event |
| Throughout the year |
Regular ploughing of the fallow field |
| Through the winter |
Ploughing of the old wheat field (due to become spring corn field) |
| March |
Sowing of spring corn field. Animals kept inside over winter taken out. Barns cleaned, and manure taken to spread on the fields |
| April |
Manorial court day (until 1684) |
| June |
Haymaking begins |
| 6 July |
End of grazing on the sikes (up to 1730s) |
| June-July |
Auction of sike grass (from 1730s) |
| 1 August |
Official end of haymaking. Meadows 'broken' and animals allowed to graze there (until early 1730s) |
| August |
Harvesting of the wheat field. When complete, the field 'broken' and animals allowed in |
| September-October |
Harvesting of the spring corn field |
| 8 October |
End of grazing on the Commons and the fallow field |
| 15 October |
End of grazing on the wheat field. Spring corn field 'broken' and animals allowed in |
| October-November |
Ploughing and sowing of old fallow field with wheat |
| October-November |
Jury Day. Inspection of the new wheat field |
| 23 November |
End of grazing on the spring corn field (due to become fallow). All livestock except sheep moved to enclosures, barns and crofts |
| November or December |
Manorial court day |
Next page: View documents