NHER 38502 (Monument record) - Cropmark of medieval to post medieval enclosure

March 2004, Norfolk NMP
A rectilinear enclosure is visible as a cropmark or germination mark on aerial photographs (S1), centred around TG 2166 3587. Although in plan the enclosure partially conforms to the surrounding field pattern as depicted on historic Ordnance Survey maps (S2), it is located at least 10m distant from any field boundary and therefore seems likely to be an earlier feature. Its south-west corner is open, but is bounded by a narrow gully which coincides with the modern parish boundary. This gully may represent the course of a former stream which fed into Hagon Beck (a water meadow has been identified 350m to the south, NHER 38468). A track depicted on Faden's Map of Norfolk (1797; S3) may also have followed this course. The 'closing' of the south-west corner by the parish boundary suggests a medieval or later date for the enclosure. A medieval seal matrix has been found 140m to its south-west (NHER 37667).The possibility that the boundary follows a former stream, however, indicates that the enclosure may have been sited to take advantage of this stream-side location in an earlier period.

The enclosure measures 107m long and 76m wide. It has slightly rounded corners and rather 'bowed' or curvilinear sides. It is defined by a wide ditch up to 7m across, although this distance may in part be a reflection of the rather 'fuzzy' appearance of the cropmarks. A possible sub-division towards the southern end of the enclosure, aligned approximately east to west, is visible as a possible earthwork on separate aerial photographs (S4). The feature, however, was not convincing enough to map.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 12 March 2004