NHER 45005 (Monument record) - Earthworks of post medieval enclosures

August 2006. Norfolk NMP
Earthworks of post medieval enclosures are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2). These earthworks are centred on TM 3672 9276. A group of rectilinear enclosures defined by earthwork ditches are present to the southeast of Yarmouth Road at Ellingham. Two possible phases of enclosures are present on the same alignment. Adjoining Yarmouth Road is a complete enclosure measuring 54m by 24m. Incomplete enclosures measuring at least 32m by 26m and at least 24m by 21m are present to its southwest and northeast. These enclosures appear to overlap a larger enclosure that measures 78m by up to 47m. All of the ditch earthworks in this group are aligned parallel or perpendicular to Yarmouth Road. Faden’s 1797 Map of Norfolk (S3) shows this area as part of ‘Ellingham, Kirby Cane and Geldestone Common’ with a road following the parish boundary further to the north. The present course of Yarmouth Road appears to date from the enclosure of the parish in 1806. It is likely that the earthworks at the site relate to enclosures established in the early part of the 19th century. The larger enclosure appears to correspond to one shown on the 1840 Ellingham tithe map (S4). It is worth noting that most of the earthwork and cropmark enclosures are located around the edge of the former common and not on it. A section of linear ditch further to the north lies on a similar alignment and is probably of a contemporary date to the enclosures.
J. Albone (NMP), 23 August 2006