Nutturalle

Nutturalle is a term that appears in historical documents, notably in relation to agricultural practices and land division. Its precise meaning can be debated and context-dependent, but it is generally understood to refer to a parcel of land that was not actively cultivated or improved, often left in its natural state. This could include areas of woodland, pasture, or uncultivated ground.

In medieval and early modern landholding systems, different categories of land existed. Arable land was for cultivation, meadow for hay, and pasture for grazing. Nutturalle land, or land described by similar terms, often fell outside these primary productive uses. It might have been used for foraging, gathering wood, or simply as a buffer zone between more intensively managed areas. The term suggests a lack of deliberate human intervention to alter the land's natural character or productivity.

The presence of nutturalle land in historical records can offer insights into the economic strategies and land management practices of the time. It indicates that not all land was considered equally valuable for direct agricultural output, and that certain areas were retained for their natural resources or simply left undeveloped. Understanding the role and extent of nutturalle land helps in reconstructing historical landscapes and agricultural economies.