NHER 54669 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Medieval to post medieval boundary

March 2012. Norfolk NMP.
The soilmarks of a major boundary ditch and wood bank of probable medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S3) running alongside the Ashwellthorpe and Wymondham parish boundary to the east of Black Hall Farm (NHER 41863).The site is centred on TM 1250 9670.
The site consists of the soilmarks, and earthworks in one short section at centred on TG 1248 9670, of a relatively major boundary ditch, with a substantial bank (up to 9m across) along one stretch of it. The relationship with the Fundenhall Wood to the north would suggest that the northern part, that with the associated bank, may represent a wood bank the defined a previously larger area of woodland. Reference to the 1797 Faden map (S4) and the Bryant map of 1826 (S5) would suggest that the wood has since expanded to the north onto former common land by the time of the Ordnance Survey First edition map (1889 to 1891) (S6), although it is possible that the wooded area was previously this extensive prior to the Faden survey and that it has expanded and contracted over time.
The boundary clearly underlies the present layout of field boundaries, many of which are likely to relate to parliamentary enclosure and the reduction of the numerous areas of commons in this vicinity depicted on Faden's 1797 map (S4). This boundary, which in part runs parallel to the Ashwellthorpe and Wymondham parish boundary, may have also originally defined the extent of 'Wattlefield Farther Common' and is likely to be medieval in origin.
S. Horlock (NMP), 05 March 2012.