NHER 52068 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Probable late medieval to post medieval boundaries

April 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The soilmarks and cropmarks of a series of ditched boundaries that possibly form part of an enclosure of unknown, but possibly late medieval to post medieval date, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S2) to the north of Gowthorpe Manor (NHER 9716). The site is centred on TG 2091 0243. The main component of the site is a 45m ditch, indicated by soilmarks or possible germination marks in 1989 (S2). Two short angled ditches on the southern side of this ditch may indicate that it represents part of a rectangular enclosure. The southern extent of which may be indicated by a parallel stretch of ditch 30m to the south. The fact that these ditches are broadly parallel to adjacent elements of the post medieval landscape depicted on the Swardeston Tithe map (S3) or visible on aerial photographs (NHER 52061), but do not appear to relate to the cropmarks thought to represent the remains of the medieval settlement of Gowthorpe (NHER 52069), could indicate that these may date to the late medieval to post medieval period, although this is not certain.
S. Horlock (NMP), 30 April 2009.