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CONCLUSIONS

The conclusions relevant to each section of the evidence have been drawn at the end of the respective chapters. Therefore, the most important will be re-iterated here along with an assessment of the method and results of the study.

Burbage is a polyfocal village, its most noticeable feature being the linear extension of buildings along the road. Obviously the dating of this form is difficult but the distribution of buildings suggests that it was extant by the 17th century. As to past arrangements of the village - the only evidence for this lies in the footpath network, field pattern and site of the church and I have suggested that the nucleus of settlement lay around Eastcourt and the crossroads on Burhstrete. The shift of emphasis to the road implies the rise of the importance of this route and this may also explain the development of Stibb Green. Equally, the latter may have developed as the result of the taking in of new land from the forest as was probably the case within the parish viz. Ram Alley, Durley, Westcourt. Alternatively, the polyfocal nature of the settlement could be a reflection of an early pattern of scattered homesteads around which buildings later nucleated. This is plausible in light of the forest surroundings although the geology does not necessarily support the idea of the village site being wooded/waste in view of the very fertile nature of the soil. Whichever is the course of development, I would still maintain that Eastcourt is one of the oldest nuclei within the village.

The buildings and features of the village reflect the economy of the region, not only in their building materials but also in their function. The malt-house witnesses to the cultivation of barley; the three smithies on the main street indicate the importance of the road and traffic; the drove-roads in from the downs reveal the role of sheep. The lack of a "manor-house" or the obvious site of one within the village may reflect the relationship of Wolfhall and its inhabitants to the village. This relationship may also have a bearing on the lack of an eastern boundary in the late Saxon charter. As previously stated, the present parish boundaries seem to follow closely at least the western bounds of the charter which surely relates to the conception of the parish as an economic unit.

Since no two villages are alike, although they may have had similar origins and/or course of development, it is difficult to test the ideas resulting from an individual's interpretation of the evidence. Basically, this study is an interpretation - there is no concrete archaeological evidence but it is hoped that sufficient information has been presented to allow for alternative interpretations to be formulated or those given here to be modified since that is the only way by which progression in the understanding of the development of settlement forms will be achieved.

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