NHER 52062 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Medieval to post-medieval field boundaries and enclosure

April 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a series of medieval to post medieval field boundaries and a possible enclosure are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) to the south of the Gowthorpe manorial site (NHER 9716) and to the southwest of the medieval village of Gowthorpe (NHER 52069). The site is centred on TG 2063 0208, although main concentrations of the cropmarks are at TG 2066 0227 to the north and TG 2071 0198 to the south.

To the immediate west of the possible enclosure and/or field is a track or road, which may, despite still being in use in the post medieval and modern period, also be medieval in origin, see NHER 52084 for details.

At TG 2071 0198 is a possible rectangular enclosure, measuring 90m by 70m. This is possibly bordered by tracks or access routes to the west and south, where it borders the former Swardeston and Mulbarton parish boundary (S3-S4). Some of these boundaries are still in use on Ordnance Survey second edition map (1902-7, 25 inch) (S5). Additional fragmentary ditches surrounding this possible enclosure may indicate further enclosed areas of land. While this rectangular feature has the appearance of a distinct ‘enclosure’, it is probable that it had an agricultural function. Although given the close proximity to the medieval village of the Gowthorpe (NHER 52069), it is feasible that it originally had a non-agricultural function.

The northern area of cropmarks would appear to represent the remains of a boundary ditches and/or trackways (S1-S2). Swardeston Hall Green is depicted on Faden’s map of 1797 (S6) as having a rectangular shape at this location. The positioning of the boundary ditches would appear to be approximately correct for these ditches to be defining the edge of the common land in the late 18th century. These may in origin be medieval in date, however the presence of post medieval extraction and features possibly relating to brick manufacture, see NHER 52066, could indicate a post medieval date.
S. Horlock (NMP), 30 April 2009.