Medieval
Human activity began to have an increasing impact on the landscape during the Medieval period. This happened even though the Lake District was only thinly populated with scattered hamlets and farms. In many valleys a stone wall or ring separated the fell from the cultivated open fields.
From the thirteenth century onwards, the wool trade grew in importance. This was promoted by the abbeys - such as Furness, Calder and Shap - which owned large tracts of land used to raise sheep. Woodlands in valleys were more intensively managed. And the endless grazing of sheep removed much of the remaining tree cover and scrub on the fells.
First signs of industry
Trees were coppiced and pollarded to provide wood for charcoal burning, fodder and timber.The power of water was harnessed to operate corn mills. Charcoal fuelled the bloomeries where iron was smelted.
Towards the end of the medieval period, Lake District farmers were more prosperous than their predecessors. Many farm houses were rebuilt to be larger and more comfortable.
