Sparrow Field Maps

The following maps  come from a dispute between Merton and Cheam taken to the Court of Augmentations.  They relate to fields in the Stoneleigh area (see  Stoneleigh Field Names).

Map of Sparrow Field, c.1540
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David Rymill,  in his excellent book Worcester Park and Cuddington (ISBN 0-9538418-0-4) tells us that  the 1540 map shows  ‘South is at the top, where a  rather narrow London Road can be seen leading between the two parks of Nonsuch; at the left hand side is the northern part of the London Road leading to Pyford Bridge. The open common of Sparrow Field occupies most of the area between Colborne Way and Green Lane’.

Map of Sparrow Field, c.1550
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David tells us that the 1550 map was “produced in connection with a dispute over Sparrowfield, c.1550. “At the top (labelled ‘Weste’ but closer to south-west) are the two parks of Nonsuch, enclosed with fence pales. A thumb-nail sketch of the palace appears in the top margin, above the Little Park. Between the two parks is the London Road, with a gate across it… In the centre of the map is the open expanse of Sparrowfield itself’.

Image Source : [Public Record Office, MPB1/25]