"Accurate landscape for HYW France" Topic

Looking into how to accurately represent the countryside look of France in this time. Many articles on the English use of the 3 field system with its strips of land. Was this used in France too? Also, looking for any books that might have photos or discussions on this. I am wondering about "roads" or just tracks as well as the layout of villages too. I think woodlands were heavily managed.

The best sources are the Très Riches heures du duc de Berry.

link

This PDF link won't answer all your questions, but if nothing else there is a (rather idealised) picture of French fields showing the system well enough.

The article goes from right at the end of the HYW but the system had not changed beforehand.

Note the comments on enclosures. Fields enclosed with hedges and/or walls were really restricted to Normandy and Provence*. The hedge at Poitiers was a vineyard boundary. Fields were open – as they still are in most of France. I _think_ that woodland was often bounded as well, especially if it was used for hunting. Parkland might also be walled but I don't know if this was a feature of any HYW battles – it certainly was in the 16th century.

Note also the general split north and south.

*I have played many games where a southern English hedgerow system has been transplanted to elsewhere in continental Europe.

Thanks Swampster. That was a very interesting read on agriculture and hedges. Plus a interesting history of agriculture in France. I see that the professor has a lot o other interesting powerpoints, so i am very grateful.

Great sources. Thanks for this. I suspected that there would be no or very limited hedges.

Upper Maine (modern Mayenne) was similar to normandy with hedges and field boundaries and is mentioned in commentaries about ambushes from the hedges on route to Fresnay and Saint Suzanne. The battlefields of Baugé, La Brossiniere and Verneuil all have field boundaries mentioned.

Most of the larger villes had walls, particulary established larger ones with a town market. Multiple water mills along rivers Mayenne, Sarthe, Maine and Villane in Maine, Anjou and Brittany for linen production. Lots of large monasteries throughout Normandy, Maine and Anjou. roadside chapels were also very common especially along the pilgrim routes.

cheers
Matt
Mayenne,
France

"walk the battlefield in the morning, wargame in the afternoon"

Thanks for these comments. I will try to lookup those battlefields.