In 1605 an inventory was made of all the fields and woods in the Saffron Walden area. The original has been lost but a hand-written translation, made around 1750, exists in the Saffron Walden Town Library. Here is what it says about parts pf Noakes Grove:

The above says:

The Tenement Papps ats Kelkow. Kelkowgreen.

Mr. Richard French a long pasture with divers groves of wood and a Pightle at the west end of the? Pasture between Pappas lane on the south, the Grove called Noakes on the north butting east upon the said grounds called Noakes, west upon the way from Butlers to Siwardsend in this place called Kelkow grene late Straches formerly Alberies & Rogers by copy 13th Hentry 8th by the name of one Tenement called Papps at Kelkes, payes to the Manor of Pounces as appears by the same copy II's

11 Acres 11

The same 7 Closes lying there together called Noakes between the former grounds, & the ground of Launcelot Ellis called Boiges on the south, the way from Butlers to Siwardsend on the west the Almshouse ground and the Lord's ground called Flatfield on the north, Ashdon Ground, & Ashdon Lane on the east at the Ashdon croft late Stracher, formerly Alberies by copy 22nd JL? 8?? and pay 24. parcel of 24 36 acres

In 1758 two very similar maps were made showing details of every field: one map covering the whole parish of Saffron Walden, including Sewards End (held by Essex Record Office but a photographic digitised copy available at the Saffron Walden Town Library) , and the other the estate of St Aylots (available online from the Essex Record Office)

The map (left) is from the St Aylots survey and shows Noakes Grove has changed very little. The wide hedge on the north-east, south-east and south-west of Arbery Field is the only difference.Most of the writing on the map runs north - south