NHER 45192 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Cropmarks of undated, medieval and post medieval field boundaries, a common-edge boundary and road

October 2006. Norfolk NMP
Cropmarks of undated, medieval and post medieval field boundaries, a common-edge boundary, and road are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S3). These cropmarks are centred on TM 3725 9211 and were previously recorded as part of NHER 17336. These cropmarks are located immediately to the south of Ellingham, Kirby and Geldeston Common, which is marked on Faden’s 1797 Map of Norfolk (S4). A curvilinear ditch cropmark extends on a roughly west to east alignment for 290m between TM 3723 9218 and TM 3752 9214. It is likely that this ditch represents the southern boundary of the common at this location. Several other narrower curvilinear ditch boundaries branch off from the eastern part of this ditch. It is possible that these represent different alignments of the common-edge boundary, which may have shifted over time. A second section of ditch is present parallel to the common-edge boundary between TM 3731 9218 and TM 3737 9217. This ditch is spaced 11m to the north of the common boundary and may define a trackway along its limit. Faden’s map does not show a trackway in this position and it is possible that it is of an earlier date or that it simply represents another former position of the common edge. The continuation of the common-edge boundary to the west and east is not visible as cropmarks.

To the south and west of the common-edge are north to south aligned field boundary ditches forming a rectilinear field system of medieval to early post medieval date. These are most complete in the western part of this group of cropmarks. Several complete rectangular fields are present with dimensions of 118m by 62m, 110m by 38m and 170m by 83m. This field system continues further to the west as part of NHER 45017. Immediately adjacent to the fields mentioned above are two parallel north to south aligned ditches. These are spaced approximately 19m (62 feet) apart and extend for 180m from TM 3702 9226 to TM 3703 9208. They represent the original route of Mill Lane, which Faden’s map (S4) shows continuing to the south from TM 3702 9228, rather than turning to the east at this point. The northern part of this road cropmark, closest to Mill Lane, is overlapped by rectilinear enclosure cropmarks. Bryant’s 1826 county map (S5) shows the new course of Mill Lane with the southern part of the old route still present. Buildings are marked in the area of the enclosures blocking the line of the old road. It appears that the road was realigned in the early 19th century and the enclosures are of this date. The alignment of these enclosures perpendicular to the modern course of Mill Lane supports this date. Cropmarks of the rectilinear field system continue in a fragmentary state to the east of the former road. The boundary between Grange House and Church Farm continues as a cropmark and forms part of this field system. West northwest to east southeast aligned positive linear cropmarks are present cutting across the western part of the field system and road. The alignment of these cropmarks is parallel to that of the modern course of Mill Lane. It is likely that they relate to modern agricultural activity and they were not mapped.

To the south and southeast of Church Farm the field system cropmarks are less regular and have a more curvilinear plan. A curving ditch is present on a roughly north to south alignment for 230m between TM 3726 9221and TM 3723 9198. Linear and curvilinear ditch cropmarks extend for up to 62m to its west and east forming incomplete fields. The form of these fields is different to the rectilinear field system to their west and it is possible that they have a medieval origin. However, it is possible that they join on to and were in use at the same time as the adjacent rectangular fields. Cropmarks of a possible polygonal enclosure are present at the northern end of the curving ditch. This possible enclosure has an incomplete rectilinear plan that appears to be cut by the curving ditch, the common-edge boundary and the modern course of Mill Lane. It measures at least 73m by 46m and is of unknown, possibly pre-medieval, date. However, it is not clear if all of the ditch cropmarks forming this enclosure are related or whether it is a coincidental group of linear cropmarks. To the south of Church Farm, an L shaped ditch at TM 3719 9213 and a linear ditch at TM 3731 9210 form an incomplete rectilinear enclosure or field. It measures 196m long by 91m wide and lies on the same alignment as the modern course of Mill Lane and the common-edge boundary. Although this enclosure cuts across part of the field system, it is likely that it has a medieval or post medieval date.

In the eastern part of this group of cropmarks, to the east of Braces Lane, are more north to south aligned linear ditches. These extend for up to 150m to the south of the common-edge boundary and are spaced between 8m and 40m apart. Their long narrow form suggests that they may be strip fields of medieval to early post medieval date. Some linear ditches are also present to the north of the common-edge boundary in this area. It is possible that these relate to enclosures that had encroached on the edge of the common.
J. Albone (NMP), 24 October 2006