NHER 45224 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of pre-medieval enclosures and field boundaries on the site of Hickling Priory

Some of these field boundaries were previously recorded under NHER 8384.

October 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a group of pre-medieval enclosures and field boundaries are visible on visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) within the precinct of Hickling Priory (NHER 8384). The site is centred on TG 4183 2512. The date of these features is not known and pre-medieval finds for the site are virtually non-existent. The priory has been described as a ‘de novo’ settlement, as no Roman or Saxon material has been found on the site (S3). However these cropmarks would suggest that the land was enclosed and in use at some point prior to the establishment of the monastic site.

The ring ditch located within this group of features has previously been recorded as a possible Bronze Age round barrow site, although it is possible given its small size and proximity to these pre-medieval enclosures or fields that it is the eavesdrip gully of a late prehistoric or Roman date round house (NHER 45226). Although no finds of this date have been found on the site (NHER 8384). Also the ditches and the circular feature would appear to be of different dates, as the ring site along the line of the boundary ditches. A prehistoric flint implement is the only pre-medieval find recovered from the site to date. The lack of finds may suggest that they are agricultural enclosures, rather than associated with settlement. It is also possible that these represent an earlier layout within the precinct, although it is arranged to a completely axis to the monastic features, making this an unlikely interpretation. The cropmark ditches are all aligned either NW-SE or NE-SW, suggesting a roughly coaxial arrangement of fields or enclosed areas. A number of the boundaries are double ditched or possibly associated with trackways, such as at TG 4187 2518 and TG 4185 2508.
S. Massey (NMP), 31 October 2006.