Assart

Type

Functional, Woodland

Area of origin

Britain (Middle Ages)

Area of use

UK

A parcel of woodland grubbed out and cleared of trees for agriculture. This process was common in Middle Ages but dates back to the Mesolithic era when population pressures led to forested areas being cleared and the land used for food production.

Etymology

French essarter” – to remove or grub out woodland

Example locations

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