UK Countryside history - 100 AD
By 100 AD, Roman culture was becoming widely adopted throughout the UK with Celtic chiefs in particular coming to realise the advantages of Roman citizenship. The Romans introduced many innovations to agriculture with improved ploughs, scythes and even a corn harvester but these were of secondary importance to the development of a demand led economy that helped push agricultural output to new peaks.
- Population
About 4 million settled in towns and over the countryside. Towns were a
new feature in the landscape and were both a catalyst for further agricultural
production as well as a consequence of it. Out in the countryside the new
Roman farms tended to be situated in valleys on the more fertile soils -
usually close to markets for easy trading. However, for all the changes
of this period, the majority of the population remained directly involved
in agriculture and very much on a subsistence basis.
- Crops
During the Roman period a range of new crops were introduced to UK agriculture
and these included cabbage, parsnip and carrots. The new crops complemented
the existing crops of wheat, barley, oats, tic beans, vetch, peas, rye,
flax and fat hen. Straw and hay crops were also grown and the introduction
of the scythe allowed for much higher production.
- Livestock
No new livestock were introduced during the period but the farming of sheep,
goats, cattle, pigs, poultry and geese would have become more organised.
Although wheat was the staple diet of the army, farmers were able to do
well from supplying livestock produce which was much in demand in the towns
amongst the new rich. Apart from meat this would have included leather and
textiles.
- Farming Systems
Farming systems changed through a combination of technological advance and
planning. Improved ploughs allowed the cultivation of fertile heavy land
while the planning of field systems produced an order and regularity to
the countryside that increased output and aided communication.
- Woodland & Hedges
Woodland cover was approximately 11% of the countryside with little remaining
wildwood. Existing woodland was largely in coppice rotation. Hedges and
fences enclosed fields close to settlements and farmsteads.
- Social Economy
The arrival of the Romans brought far reaching socioeconomic changes to
the country and not least to agriculture. Coinage was introduced and the
Roman army became a significant purchaser of produce. Farmers responded
by deliberately growing produce for sale rather than primarily for subsistence
- the market economy had begun.
- Climate
Similar to that of today.
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