NHER 20829 (Monument record) - Site of medieval moat and multi-period finds

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Summary

A medieval moat surround the site of the medieval manor of Kirkhams, see NHER 7290. The moat is visible on aerial photographs, and appears to have been connected to a possible second moat. Field walking and metal detecting recovered prehistoric flints, prehistoric pot boilers, pottery dating from the Roman to the post medieval periods, a medieval buckle and a medieval strap fitting.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF91SW
Civil Parish FRANSHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

30 March 1946.
RAF aerial photographs show outer enclosures (?) of moat (site NHER 7290) to north, and at west what could be a second, connected moat, unusual.
Now bulldozed but earthworks in 1946.
Original information from A. Rogerson (NAU)
D. A. Edwards (NAU) and E. Rose (NAU) 13 February 1985

April 1980. Ordnance Survey field Little Fransham 169 (surrounding site NHER 7290 to south).
Semi casual finds around moat.
Medieval sherds including Grimston.
Post medieval sherds including stoneware.
See (S1).
Found and identified by A. Rogerson (NAU)
E. Rose (NAU) 26 October 1984.

November 1986.
Further finds over remainder of field.
Further medieval and post medieval sherds, medieval brick, concentration of medieval pegtile, flints, lava fragments, Thetford-type sherds, early medieval wares, Roman coarsewares.
See (S1).
Also two pot boiler sites; context 12 at [1] and context 37 at [2].
Context 12 are in dark soil 23m east to west, minimum 10m north to south (cut by A47 roadside ditch).
Context 37 in dark soil, about 8m diameter.
Pot boilers scattered to west and south up to 20m away.
See (S1).
Found and identified by A. Rogerson (NAU)
E. Rose (NAU) 5 August 1987

September 1995. Metal detecting and field collection. Southeast part of field.
Handle fragment, medieval unglazed.
Jar rim late Thetford type.
?Medieval copper alloystrap end. Sheet folded over with 2 rivets. (One copper alloy surviving: length 12mm, width 34mm).
Tubular lead weight, unknown date (61g).
Identified by A. Rogerson (NLA) 16 October 1995.

September 1997. Freshly ploughed and pressed, southeast of NHER 7290,
Metal detecting finds.
Patinated flint flake with recent damage. UP
Identified by P. Robins (NCM).
Glazed Grimston jug handle, oval section with 3 broad grooves on outer surface.
Medieval copper alloy buckle, oval frame with integral plate, traces of gilding. Frame has thickened and straight outer edge and small knob on each side of junction with plate. Width 34mm. Plate is rectangular with bevelled long edges and flint underside. Pin hole with remains of iron pin loop. Three attachment holes, central one smaller. Width 5mm. Overall length 73mm. Probably 14th century.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 26 September 1997.

  • --- *Fieldwork: Fransham Survey. L169. AJGR.
  • --- Aerial Photograph: 3G.TUD.UK100.partIV.5291.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • <S1> Archive: Fransham Field Walking Boxfile.
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • POT BOILER (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • QUERN (Undated)
  • WEIGHT (Undated)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Mar 26 2026 4:10PM

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