NHER 26611 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Post-medieval sea defence bank

September 2002. Norfolk NMP.
The bank is visible as a meandering earthwork with a total recorded length of 2.4km, although an element of the system of banks to the north (NHER 26631) may have also initially been part of this structure. From TF 6610 3125 the structure runs in an approximate southeasterly direction to TF 6690 2976, before turning towards the northwest and appearing to terminate at TF 6739 3008 (S1). The western arm of the bank is visible as a cropmark only.

The structure is partially visible on Faden’s map (S2) of 1797 although the western end of the feature is not depicted. Nor is the western element depicted on the first edition OS (S3) of 1810-20, suggesting that it may have already been in a state of disrepair by the end of the 18th century. This would infer a late 17th or early 18th century date for at least part of the bank. This bank would have protected and reclaimed a large area of Dersingham Common as well as protecting the village of Dersingham, which suffered from a disastrous flood in 1672. The course of the bank was presumably partially dictated by the topography and terrain of the saltmarsh, but the meandering course may also be indicative of piecemeal construction, rather than the work of a single engineering and construction project.
M. Brennand (NMP), 6 September 2002.