NHER 43422 (Monument record) - Post medieval field boundaries and drainage ditches

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a group of probable post medieval field boundaries and drainage ditches are visible on aerial photographs to the south of Eccles-on-Sea, Lessingham (S1-S4). The site is centred on TG 4101 2846. These boundaries are all broadly aligned on the same grid as the post medieval and modern landscape divisions. One of the features, a linear running from TG 4071 2841 to TG 4088 2835, is marked on the 1812 Hempstead Enclosure map and the 1841 Tithe map (S6-S6). To the north of this are several parallel linears, one of which runs the entire length of the field. It seems likely that these are either boundaries or drains of the same phase, but removed before the surveying of the 1812 map (S5). To the north, at TG 4103 2860, two parallel linear features are visible almost continuing the line of the drainage channel, which is still present, but kinks around to the east at the point the cropmarks meet the drain. This may be a continuation or earlier course of the drain. To the south, at TG 41055 2834, a linear ditch or drain heads west towards the field boundary and then kinks to the north, following the line of the post medieval drainage ditches. Again this suggests that the cropmark boundaries are of a similar date and function as those still present in the landscape.
S. Massey (NMP), 13 September 2005.