NHER 7737 (Monument record) - Medieval hollow ways and possible site of Helmingham or Morton deserted village
The Norfolk Heritage Explorer is a filtered version of the Norfolk HER intended for casual research. Please contact us to consult the full record.
See also further guidance on using the Norfolk Heritage Explorer website.
Summary
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Location
| Map sheet | TG11NW |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | MORTON ON THE HILL, BROADLAND, NORFOLK |
Map
Full Description
Possible site of Domesday vill of Helmingham, noted by R.R. Clarke (NCM) at crossing of hollow ways.
Named in Domesday (S1) and Nomina Villarum (S2) in 1368 as 'Helmingham alias Morton'; in 1428 it had 10 householders.
(S3) says that Morton was a hamlet of Helmingham and that the present church (NHER 7725) is Helmingham church, site NHER 7741 being Morton church.
June 1978. Visit.
The hollow ways are massive - about 9m (30 feet) deep - and may have been deliberately cut down at some time.
Dense shrubbery prevents any further evidence being seen.
E. Rose (NCM), 14 June 1978.
In the lay subsidy of 1329 it was combined with Ringland.
(S4).
R.J. Rickett(NAU), 9 July 1990.
February 2003.
The hollow ways form entrance drives to the hall (NHER 7726). No other features visited in the thick woodland.
H. Paterson (A&E), 14 February 2003.
April 2010. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of the medieval hollow ways to the west of the Hall are visible through the trees on aerial photographs (S5). However due to the tree cover partially obscuring the earthworks, they could not be discerned sufficiently for mapping purposes. Additionally it was hard to be certain which earthworks for of some antiquity and which ones related to the remaining post medieval roads associated with the hall that are depicted on historic maps. No other earthworks related to the probable medieval settlement at this site could be identified through the tree cover.
S. Horlock (NMP), 30 April 2010.
Associated Sources (7)
- --- SNF87263 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Morton-On-The-Hill.
- --- SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
- <S1> SNF58189 Publication: Brown, P (ed.). 1984. Domesday Book: Norfolk. Parts 1 and 2.
- <S2> SNF57241 Monograph: Nomina Villarum.
- <S3> SNF4630 Serial: Blomefield, F.. 1808. An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk.. Vol VIII. 548.
- <S4> SNF94190 Record Card: Ordnance Survey Records / Pastscape.
- <S5> SNF73944 Vertical Aerial Photograph: RAF. 1951. RAF 58/651 3316-7 24-APR-1951 (NMR).
Site and Feature Types and Periods (2)
Object Types (0)
Related NHER Records (0)
Find out more...(2)
Record last edited
Jul 21 2016 4:37PM