| As shown by Tomlinson, the open fields of Little Bromwich occupied
a sixth of the total acreage, but Saltley's only an eighth. Had they
been larger? There are irregular edges which suggest encroachment,
and clearly there has been grouping of strips within the boundaries
of the fields. Near, Far, Over, and Lower Rails in Little Bromwich
(not identified) indicate enclosures within fences. The surviving
fields of Little Bromwich, Slade and Two Cross Fields, stretched westward
to Wash Brook Meadows and eastward to Bromford Lane. Saltley's common
arable occupied the area bounded today by Arley, Berry, Tarry, College
and St. Saviour's Roads, Adderley Road and High Street. Except for
a few yards at its north end, Highfield Road is post-enclosure, cutting
across the field after which it is named. South of Coleshill Road
was Mill Field, so named because Saltley Watermill stood at its southwest
corner. East of this field were the Furlongs, which today would lie
between Edmund and College Roads. Saltley had its final enclosures
in 1817, and it may be guessed that Little Bromwich's were at about
the same time. |
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