NHER 27190 (Monument record) - Earthwork and cropmark of post medieval sea bank

January 2003. Norfolk NMP.
The feature enters the map square at TF 5500 2245 (S1), running in an approximately north-east direction for a length of 3.75km to TF 5775 2501 (S2), before turning towards the south-east and running for 530m to TF 5819 2473, where it appears to join to Bank 27191. Indeed the two banks are probably all one build, or at least contemporary. The bank has a maximum width of 20m, although the height is unknown. The course of the bank is formed by individual straight stretches that kink at the joins, giving an overall slightly irregular appearance. The bank takes it only dramatic detour around Horseshoe Hole at TF 5609 2405 (S2).
The feature is recorded as ‘The late Capt. Bentinck’s Embankment 1775’ on Faden’s Map of Norfolk (S3), although it has presumably been altered since that time. Together with bank NHER 27191 the bank encloses an elongated spit of land on the saltmarsh on the southern side of The Wash. The combined length of the two banks reclaiming and enclosing this piece of land is over 8.5km, which must surely have been a massive undertaking involving a large workforce.
M. Brennand (NMP), 10 January 2003.