NHER 43408 (Monument record) - Earthworks of possible medieval to post medieval drainage ditches and enclosures

March 2006. Norfolk NMP.
Earthworks of drainage ditches forming four enclosures of possible medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2). These earthworks are centred on TF 7100 3638. Four incomplete rectilinear enclosures are present and are defined by earthwork ditches. In the north are two enclosures that measure 49m by 55m and 58m by 47m internally. Their northern boundary is formed by the Heacham River. Immediately to their south is a larger rectangular enclosure measuring 117m by at least 67m internally. Only two sides of the fourth enclosure are present. It lies in the eastern part of the group and measures at least 104m by 112m. The ditches forming these enclosures are not marked on a 1631 estate map of Sedgeford (S3). However, their alignment corresponds to the surviving field boundaries, which are marked on that map. It is probable that they are of medieval to early post medieval date. The close proximity of these ditches to the river makes it likely that they served a drainage function as well as defining the enclosures. The earthworks appear to have been levelled by 1958 (S4).
J. Albone (NMP), 17 March 2006.