NHER 27386 (Monument record) - Medieval to post medieval enclosure and platform

June 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a rectangular enclosure and platform of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1). This enclosure is located at TG 5149 1005 and lies at about 1m OD. It is defined by a narrow ditch and measures 17m by 15m externally. The internal area is slightly raised above the level of the surrounding land creating a platform which may have supported a structure. A later north to south aligned drainage ditch cut through the platform. Earthworks of a second, west to east aligned, drainage ditch are present just to the south of the enclosure. Neither of these two drainage ditches, nor the enclosure and platform are marked on the first edition 6" Ordnance Survey map (S2). It is likely that the enclosure is of medieval or post medieval date. Information from [1] suggests that smaller enclosures on the marshalnd are probably sheep cotes. They were used to pen sheep overnight so that their manure could be collected. The manure was then transported from the marshes for use as fertiliser on arable fields on the ‘upland’ (S3). A similar enclosure, but without an obvious platform, was visible as earthworks 320m to the west (NHER 27383). The earthworks had been levelled by 1963 (S4).
J. Albone (NMP), 13 June 2005.