NHER 11524 (Monument record) - Possible site of Bylaugh deserted medieval village

A medieval village at Bylaugh is mentioned in (S1) and (S2). It was assessed for 84/- tax in 1334, but only 8% of that in 1449 (S3), indicating that it had shrunken considerably by the 15th century, and was abandoned sometime later. Although believed to have been situated at this location, no evidence has yet been recorded. NAU aerial photographs show no cropmarks here, but the field was an Army camp until recently and therefore cropmarks might be misleading.
The field consists of two hills which would be unusual for a deserted medieval village site.
E. Rose (NAU), 23 September 1981.

NGR corrected from original TG 0363 1855.
M. Horlock (NLA), 26 March 2003.

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a small group of enclosures and boundaries of possible medieval date are visible on aerial photographs to the north of this site (NHER 50974). It is possible that these relate to the medieval settlement referred to above. Although it must be borne in mind that the area immediately surrounding the hall was used by the military during World War Two as a camp and that some of these features may be twentieth century in date.

A series of soilmarks are visible on aerial photographs within the area of this site (S4). The majority of these would appear to be geological in origin. However a plough-levelled banked enclosure may be visible to the immediate west of a clump of trees. It was decided not to map this feature as it was felt likely to represent the remains of the remains of a formerly larger area of tree plantation that had been removed when this part of the park was converted to arable cultivation. A number of trees are depicted on the Ordnance Survey first edition map for this area. Although it is feasible that it relates to a medieval enclosure associated with the probable settlement in this area.
Also see (S5)
S. Massey (NMP), 03 March 2008.