NHER 13785 (Monument record) - Earthworks of possible medieval bank

1967.
Ditch on Ordnance Survey identified as bastion; soilmark of bank.
Probably part of unfinished siegework in 1643 when Gaywood was fortified during seige of Lynn. See (S1).
However [1] believes this was only the embankment of the old Gaywood river. See file for NHER 28800.
Site now destroyed by housing estate.
E. Rose (NLA), 10 February 1992

For the original of (S1) see lecture notes by the late Mr. Talbot filed under NHER 5486.

June 2003. Norfolk NMP.
The bank is visible as an earthwork running in a meandering course from TF 6327 2140 to TF 6353 2129 (S2). The bank appears to incorporate a mound at TF 6351 2130, which may the remains of a medieval saltern mound. The remains of the feature are rounded in plan, with a possible diameter of 40m, although it has presumably been massively truncated. This bank may mark the southern bank of the former course of the Gaywood River, and may be medieval in date. One of the meanders is angled in a suspiciously straight manner, which has led some to believe that this was a bastion built as part of the siegeworks of 1643. This feature is 1.1km from the Lynn town wall, which is beyond the effective range of mid 17th century cannon. It seems less likely to be a bastion, and more likely to be a medieval river bank.
M. Brennand (NMP), 24 June 2003.

A large probable saltern mound (NHER 27895) sits within one of the curves of this bank feature.
A. Cattermole (King's Lynn UAD), 15 May 2019.

May 2018. Topographic Survey, Trial Trenching and Borehole Survey.
Evaluation of proposed development to south of Aconite Road.
The trench placed to investigate the discreet feature visible as an earthwork at TF 6350 2129 confirmed that it was indeed a surviving saltern mound – being composed of a mix of filtration waste and hearth waste deposits. Dating evidence was though limited to a single medieval pottery sherd.
See report (S4) and NHER 68394 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 August 2024.

January-February 2019. Excavation.
Further investigation of three saltern mounds identified to south of Aconite Road, one of which was the feature visible as an earthwork at TF 6350 2129. Clay-lined features associated with the final phase of activity at this saltern produced a mix of Late Saxon and early medieval pottery - suggesting they were most likely in use around the 11th century. This was supported by Late Saxon and Late Saxon to early medieval radiocarbon dates obtained for charcoal recovered from these features.
See NHER 68394 for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 August 2024.