NHER 17135 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Medieval to post medieval earthworks east of churchyard, Old Hunstanton

Rectangular enclosure demarcated by earthwork banks about 1m high, bounded on east by river, on west now encroached by churchyard extension.
Sexton stated that it was proving difficult to dig graves here owing to 'stone lumps, old bricks and floors'.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU), 25 March 1981.

1991.
Site under pasture, grazed by sheep with minimal poaching.
Earthworks and ponds to east exist, shown as 'mill waters' on Ordnance Survey map.
Site Form in file.
H. Paterson (NLA), 23 April 1991.

1994.
Under good grass cover, recently cut.
H. Paterson (NLA) 6 October 1994.

July 2001. Norfolk NMP.
(NGR amended from original TF 6900 4200).
1953 RAF aerial photographs reveal lines of parched banks, 1 to 2m wide, which appear to be the walls/foundations of a substantial building complex on the site of the previously recorded, banked enclosure. The complex, as mapped, is at least 70m by 65m. It is likely that it continues to both the northwest and southeast, but the clarity of the photo is not sufficient for further detail to be mapped. The banks/walls form four main enclosed areas, which appear to contain traces of buildings, all approximately 9m square, in particular those along the central wall/bank, running from TF 6898 4205 to TF 6901 4199. These earthworks could represent quite a large range of buildings and associated enclosures, this is also testified by the stone, brick and floor layers encountered by gravediggers. The walls seem to be along a similar alignment to the church. It is possible that this is an early manorial site, possibly a precursor to the 15-16th century Hunstanton Hall complex. Although the ‘old bricks’ recovered from the site may suggest something later in date. Also if this was the location of a sizeable building range, it seems strange that no associated material culture was found along with the building fabric. The earthworks look more dispersed on the BKS photographs (S2) and also when viewed on the ground, they do not appear as clear as the 1953 RAF images would suggest (S1), although the main axis of banks could be seen as low earthworks.
S. Massey (NMP), 9 July 2001.