NHER 27704 (Monument record) - Post medieval field and drainage system

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of post medieval field system and associated drainage channels are visible on aerial photographs between Decoy Covert and French’s Farm, Waxham (S1 to S3). The site is centred on TG 4373 2566. The system is broadly aligned along two curving boundaries and it is possible that some elements have medieval origins, as it pre-dates the more rectilinear enclosure associated with the post medieval landscape. The main southern curving boundary is still extant on the Waxham Tithe map of 1840 (S4), although the rest of the boundaries have been replaced. Other linear ditches, drains and fragmentary cropmarks which did not appear to represent part of this site were recorded within this area and these have been recorded under NHER 42096 and 7.

The main southern curving boundary, running from TG 4371 2558 to TG 4385 2559 is still extant on the Waxham Tithe map of 1840 (S4), although the rest of the boundaries have been replaced. This boundary continues to the west and forms the edge of an irregularly shaped area of woodland, see NHER 42061 for discussion of this feature. To the south of the main boundary is a further curvilinear feature, which is roughly parallel to the east, between 7 and 10m to the south. To the west the gap between the two linears widens out, at which point a more rectilinear L-shaped boundary or drain joins the channel.

The northern boundary to the site also appears to form a curving boundary, although it is quite fragmentary, running from TG 4363 2584 to TG 4389 2581. Perpendicular to these ditch sections is a series of four straight ditches, which appear to divide the area into four wedge-shaped parcels of land, ranging from 75m to 100m wide at the northern end. At least one of these joins with the main southern boundary and this is the most substantial of the four ditches, in terms of width and length. It is possible that all these ditches continued south and joined a continuation of the southern boundary, creating four large enclosed fields. It is also possible that this arrangement continued to the south and incorporated the trackways to the west which lead down to the fen and marsh, (NHER 42038). However only one of the subdividing linears within this site appears to have a double-ditched element. This feature defines the eastern edge of a further subdivided area within the main field system and also has a double-ditched boundary marking it to the south. The enclosure area is approximately 33m by 77m.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2005.