On a recent holiday in Italy I noticed the very different aspect the field system presents to the 'eye in the sky' when compared to the equivalent English aspect. See the two photos above taken in descent. The first photo shows the field system in north Italy and the second the field system around Stansted airport. The Italian field system is far more linear than the English system; the Italian component fields are linear strips. .
Why does this difference, which is so striking to the eye, exist? Both countries, I assume, had feudal strip systems. In both countries the feudal system began to break up after the Black Death - at least it certainly did in England and the up and coming Yeomen farmers made a grab for strips that were no long tilled by a depleted population. My guess is that these farmers expanded their fields until they hit the more irregular boundaries described by the hedgrows, woods, and roads. So why does Italy retain a strip system? What is it about the Italian history and setting that is so different?
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