NHER 11959 (Monument record) - Possible medieval manorial site

Possible moated site of hall, with chapel.

A subrectangular ditched enclosure is depicted at tis location on the Second Edition 6-inch Ordnance Survey map (S4).
Other editions of the Ordnance Survey map do not label it as a moat, but the dykes are still marked.
The Ordnance Survey record card (S1) includes a notes dated 1962 which states "?Made in angle of ditch - now ploughed out".
Information from HER Record Notes (S3).
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.

March 1983.
Fieldwalking produced medieval sherds.
Continuation of medieval pottery scatter recorded under NHER 18951.
Possibly predating moat, in north and west corners of moated site [moated site centered approximately TF 4713 1341].
Information from HER Record Notes (S3).
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026

July 1983. Air Photo Interpretation.
An aerial photograph of unknown date [1] shows the enclosure as much more regular than the dykes on the Ordnance Survey map and is convincing as a moat in form.
Information from HER Record Notes (S3).
E. Rose (NAU), 05 July 1983. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.

September 1983. Air Photo Interpretation.
Aerial phographs taken by Dererk Edwards in 1983 show no trace of the feature marked on the 1926 Ordnance Survey map [centered approximately TF 4713 1341] but shows a large rectangular cropmark to the north. Identified by E. Edwards as "the cropmark of a regular moat with angled entrance on south side" (comment originally under NHER 18951). It has been suggested that this large cropmark centered approximately TF 4712 1348 is the actual moat and that the marking of the other feature by the Ordnance Survey is a mistake. The cropmark falls within the NHER 18951.
Information from HER Record Notes (S3).
E. Rose (NAU), 19 September 1983. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.

1985. Documentary Research.
R. Silvester (S8) suggests site of Bishop of Ely's Manor House.
See journal article (S8) for further details.
E. Rose (NAU), 12 February 1986. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.

Pre 1987.Metal-detecting.
13th century jetton and medieval silver penny.
Recovered from the very approximate area of this moated site [moated site centered approximately TF 4713 1341].
Objects not seen by the Norfolk Archaeological Unit.
Information from HER Record Notes (S3).
E. Rose (NAU), 02 October 1987. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.

1989. Metal-detecting.
Lead seal, medieval harness mount, medieval coins.
See list and discussion in file.
A. Rogerson (NAU), 06 Oct 1989.

1989. Documentary Research.
Blomefield records that William de Sculham built a chapel in his hall in 1230 which lasted until 1548. It is possible that this is the site of his hall.
Information from HER Record Notes (S3).
E. Rose (NAU), 13 December 1989. Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.

Jan 1990. Metal-detecting.
Short cross cut halfpenn 1180-1247.
Ident S. Margeson.
A. Rogerson (NAU), 21 Feb 1990.

1996. Documentary Research.
Alan Davison (S9) suggests this is actually the site of Lewes Manor and that the Bishop of Ely's manor house was located at NHER 18947.
Information from HER Record Notes (S3).
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.

June 2026. HER Enhancement: Forestry Commission Project K.
The ditches associated with this moated site, as depicted on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey map (S), are present on Environment Agency lidar data collectd in 2020 (S).
The ditched enclosure is approximatley 100m square and is actually centered about 70m to the north of this site's original mapped location. The correct location of the cropmark appears to have been recognized in September 1983, but there seems to have been some confusion regarding the Ordnance Survey map evidence due to the presence of ditches to the south of the location of the moat. It has now been verified that the cropmark does coincide with the location marked on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey map and the location of this site has now been amended accordingly [2].
H. Hamilton (HES), 18 June 2026.