I first heard of 'vaccary walls' in connection with the Chevin ridge in Otley. When we visited Wycoller, I discovered there are a lot of them in that area. They are believed to be medieval field enclosures, associated with the vaccaries: small scale commercial cattle farms in the area in the 14th century. Unlike the more familiar dry-stone walls, vaccary walls consist of large irregular slabs of stone placed upright.
I can't decide between colour and mono for this image - both have their merits, I feel.
There seemed to be no cattle around (medieval or modern) but lots of sheep and some very sweet lambs.
Never heard of them before, so thanks for pectoral description along with verbal!
ReplyDeleteI like the colour best.
ReplyDeleteMaybe these flat slabs were broken off and transported by glacial ice millions of years ago?
ReplyDeleteGood heavens. What a fence for cattle! Talk about labor. Very interesting....
ReplyDeleteA new term to me.
ReplyDelete