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This article presents, and discusses, a map showing variations in the character of field boundaries in eastern England. It suggests that the familiar distinction between 'planned' and 'ancient' countryside can in some ways serve to obscure aspects of landscape variation; and argues that particular kinds of field pattern are strongly correlated with soil types and other environmental factors. It also discusses some of the limitations of current 'Historic Landscape Characterisation' exercises.
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Tom Williamson (2006) studied this question.
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