NHER 52445 (Monument record) - Earthworks of possible medieval ridge and furrow

November 2009. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of possible medieval ridge and furrow are visible on aerial photographs within the former area of Kirby Hall Park (NHER 42456) (S1). The site is centred on TG 2728 0509. This possible area of ridge and furrow is highlighted on the 1812 Kirby Bedon Enclosure map (S2) as being distinct from the surroundings fields, by being coloured blue, as is the line of the post medieval road (NHER 52444) that ran from the edge of the park to the south, up towards Kirby Old Hall (NHER 9907).
This area of parallel low linear banks and hollows is defined by a slightly S-shaped block of land, again adding to the medieval ridge and furrow interpretation. The site, which is visible as earthworks in the 1950s, but has since been plough levelled, is located to the north of an area of earthwork enclosures and major boundaries, which have been interpreted as represent the remains of a medieval settlement area that was incorporated into the deer park when it was created. An alternative interpretation may be provided by the fact that the post medieval road to Kirby Hall (NHER 52444) is thought to have run up through this area of earthworks, although ditches of the road cannot clearly be distinguished amongst the parallel ridges and furrows. It is feasible that some of the earthworks are the result of the creation of the road. However it must be noted that it has been suggested that the line of the post medieval Hall road may in fact be derived from a medieval feature associated with the settlement earthworks to the south and east (NHER 52448).
S. Horlock (NMP), 03 November 2009.