The Ancient Tenements are the oldest surviving farms in

Dartmoor Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon, England. The moorland and surrounding land has been protected by National Park status since 1951. Dartmoor National Park covers . The granite which forms the uplands dates from the Carboniferous P ...

, England, established during the 14th century and possibly earlier. In Mediaeval Britain,

grazing rights Grazing rights is the right of a user to allow their livestock to feed (graze) in a given area. United States Grazing rights have never been codified in United States law, because such common-law rights derive from the English concept of the ...

within the boundaries of the Forest of Dartmoor were strictly limited. However a few settlers were permitted to build farms there, and to release their livestock on surrounding land. These farms became known as the Ancient Tenements, and many still survive today, such as Babeny,

Bellever Bellever is a hamlet in Dartmoor, Devon, England. It is located on the river East Dart about south of Postbridge. The first mention of a settlement at this location is in a Duchy of Cornwall record from 1355 which gives the name of a farm here ...

, Brimpts, Brownberry, Dunnabridge, Dury, Hartyland,

Hexworthy Hexworthy is a hamlet on Dartmoor, in Devon, England. It lies on the West Dart River a mile upstream from Dartmeet. Historically in the parish of Lydford, since 1987 it has been in the civil parish of Dartmoor Forest. Hexworthy has an inn, ...

, Huccaby, Lakehead, Merripit, Pizwell, Prince Hall, Riddon, Runnage, and Sherberton. Many still feature buildings that are of mediaeval origins, including elements of their original longhouses: *Bellever's medieval longhouse was demolished only last century when today's farmhouse was built. *Dunnabridge grew to become a cluster of small farms. Several of today's barns show signs of chimneys - evidence that they were once inhabited. *Dury Farm has an ancient fireplace and a flight of granite stairs winding around the chimney stack. *Pizwell features a 16th-century door and fireplace. *Prince Hall (once known as Prynse Hall), is now a hotel and restaurant which stands on the site of the original farm. *Riddon (originally Riddam) no longer has its original longhouse, although it does feature an ancient granite barn. *Sherrill (often recorded as Sherwell) is a small hamlet containing a number of farm buildings and cottages. The farm still features its original longhouse, virtually intact, but now used as a barn, with a large porch constructed from slabs of granite. The majority are Grade II

listed Listed may refer to: * Listed, Bornholm, a fishing village on the Danish island of Bornholm * Listed (MMM program), a television show on MuchMoreMusic * Endangered species in biology * Listed building, in architecture, designation of a historicall ...

and some are Grade II* (particularly important buildings of special interest). For centuries, these settlements were isolated from 'civilisation' - many miles from the nearest villages. And yet the inhabitants were still expected to travel many miles to church each Sunday, over hills and rough terrain. To make matters worse, the parish boundaries often bore little or no relation to the natural geography. However, in 1260, the Bishop decreed that the dead from Pizwell and neighbouring Babeny, could be taken to Widecombe-in-the-Moor, which was much closer and more accessible.

References

* * {{refend Archaeological sites in Devon Dartmoor History of Devon Geography of Devon Medieval sites in England Farms in Devon