NHER 54565 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of possible medieval settlement and fields

January 2011. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of probable medieval field and land boundaries located to the west of a medieval moated manorial site (NHER 6088), alongside the River Thet at Brettenham, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4). The site is centred on TL 9287 8344. It is probable that these earthworks represent fields and stock enclosures, and possibly also areas of settlement, representing a small hamlet associated with the manorial site. While it is feasible that some of these earthworks are merely drainage works alongside the river, they do broadly fit a pattern of a linear form of settlement that developed in the Breckland Valleys as population expanded in early medieval times (S5-S6). More substantial examples of this type of settlement can be seen nearby to the east and west along the Thet at Kilverstone (NHER 5952) and Harling Thorpe (NHER 6087), both of which are associated with manorial sites. Given the proximity of these earthworks to both a manor house (NHER 6088) and a church with Norman or Saxon origins (NHER 6093), it seems likely that these earthworks relate to more than drainage alongside the river.
The boundaries to the immediate south of the church are the most clearly defined (S1) area of the site. Faden's map of 1797 (S7) indicates a small number of dwellings round the church, so it must be borne in mind that some of these earthworks relate to buildings and plots entirely of post medieval date, although a medieval origin seems most likely given the context of the site. The traces of possible mounds and platforms within this area, in particular centred on TL 9312 8332, were tentatively identified within the area defined by ditches. However these were not mapped due to uncertainty over their presence and archaeological significance. It is possible that these represent medieval building or house platforms (although see above for discussion of Faden evidence). Probable platforms were also mapped within the western part of the site to the north of the drainage channel that bisects the earthworks – although again it must be noted that these were not particularly well defined and completely convincing (S1, S4). A probable hollow way appears to run along the northern edge of the earthworks following the line of the river valley (S1, S4). It is likely that this was originally a continuation of the road leading towards the church to the east, although the current route of this appears to overlie the northeastern area of the churchyard.
S. Horlock (NMP), 20 January 2011.