NHER 27191 (Monument record) - Earthwork of post medieval sea bank

January 2003. Norfolk NMP.
The feature is visible extending from the course of the Sea Bank (NHER 2187) at TF 5517 2139 (S1) in an approximately north-westerly direction for an overall distance of 4.75km, to TF 5819 2471, where it appears to join to bank 27190 (S3). Indeed the two banks are probably all one build, or at least contemporary. The bank has a maximum width of 20m, although probably much altered since its original construction. The height of the feature is unknown. There is a road or a track positioned on top of the bank along its entire course, presumably taking advantage of the flood-free elevation. The course of the bank is formed by individual straight stretches that kink at the joins, giving an overall slightly irregular appearance. The bank makes its only dramatic change in direction at TF 5613 2215 (S1), where the course of the bank turns to the north and then kinks back sharply towards the north-east. This may have been to respect an existing field boundary, the course of a channel or to avoid a saltern mound (NHER 27163), although one might expect the course of the bank to incorporate a saltern mound. A 300m length of the feature appears to have been largely levelled between Greenmarsh Farm and Green Bank Farm (S1) and a 200m length at Newmarsh Farm also appears to have been levelled.
The feature forms the south-eastern boundary to New Marsh (S4) and, together with bank NHER 27190, encloses an elongated spit of land on the saltmarsh on the southern side of The Wash. The north-western boundary to this piece of land is recorded as ‘The late Capt. Bentinck’s Embankment 1775’ (S4), which suggests that this bank also dates from 1775. 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.