NHER 42195 (Monument record) - Medieval to post medieval enclosure complex or field system

November 2005. Norfolk NMP.
Earthworks and extant drainage ditches defining a group of enclosures or fields of medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1 to S3). These enclosures are centred on TG 4530 0858. A group of eight adjoining enclosures are present within an area that is mostly defined by extant drainage ditches. The southern part of the group comprises a curvilinear enclosure bounded by a 3m wide ditch. It lies on a roughly west southwest to east northeast axis and measures 144m by 47m externally. This enclosure is shown as a field on the 1838 Acle tithe map (S4). A later ditch, which is marked on the second edition Ordnance Survey 25 inches to the mile map (S5) cuts off the eastern end of the field forming a small trapezoidal enclosure. This small enclosure measures up to 21.5m by 18.5m internally. The main area of the curvilinear enclosure is further divided into four small sub rectangular fields or enclosures each measuring between 22.5m by 38m and 27.5m by 44m. These subdivisions were not marked on either the tithe or second edition Ordnance Survey maps (S4 and S5). The northern part of the group comprises a roughly rectangular area that is divided into three rectilinear enclosures. These measure from 32m by 75m to 61m by 78m internally. This area was shown as a single field on both the tithe map (S4) and second edition Ordnance Survey map (S5). The small size of these enclosures may indicate that they were more than just fields. It is possible that there may have been a domestic element, with some form of dwelling present at this site. However, no platforms, indicating the presence of any buildings were visible within the enclosures. These enclosures were formerly part of Acle parish. Only the outer ditch surrounding this group of enclosures survives. The smaller ditches providing the internal divisions were visible as earthworks in 1946 (S1) and were still present as earthworks in 1985 (S3).
J. Albone (NMP), 29 November 2005