NHER 43731 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of medieval to post medieval boundary ditches and banks

June 2006. Norfolk NMP.
Earthworks of banks and ditches of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2). These are located immediately to the east of Hedenham Hall Farm at TM 3118 9378. Two west to east aligned parallel ditch earthworks are present to the east of the farm. Perpendicular to these ditches are three roughly north to south aligned ditch earthworks. Two of these are up to 4.5m wide and appear to form part of the same boundary feature. The earthworks are partly obscured by trees and shadows and it is likely that two of these sections form part of the same wide ditch. The alignment of these ditches is similar to that of the surrounding field and property boundaries and it is likely that they are of medieval to post medieval date. A curving bank earthwork cuts across the northwest part of the group. This leads from the area of the present farm in the west to the site boundary in the north. It is possible that this is another boundary feature relating to a different phase of activity or a slightly raised trackway. The present farmhouse at Hedenham Hall Farm (NHER 44745) dates to the early 19th century. However, the presence of buildings at this location on Faden’s 1797 Map of Norfolk (S3) and the labelling of the farm as ‘Manor House’ on the 1838 first edition one inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map (S4) strongly suggest that there was an earlier house here. It is possible that these earthworks relate to the medieval and post medieval phases of activity at the site. None of the features visible as earthworks are marked on the 1839 Hedenham tithe map (S5) or later maps. The earthworks had been levelled by 1967 and the features were showing as soilmarks in an arable field at that time (S6).
J. Albone (NMP), 08 June 2006