NHER 9017 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of possible medieval moat and multi-period pottery sherds

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Summary

The Ordnance Survey noted a possible medieval moat at this location. Aerial photographs taken in 1996 clearly show the cropmarks of this moat. Various finds have been recovered from the site and these include sherds of Iron Age, medieval and post medieval pottery along with part of a post medieval tobacco pipe.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TL99SW
Civil Parish WRETHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

Context 1.
Moat (Ordnance Survey) shown as irregular, embanked, with linear pond to east - outer enclosure.
Destroyed according to Ordnance Survey.
E. Rose (NAU).

April 1987. Levelled, grass cover patchy, ill drained.
Two non-glazed Grimston.
Four medieval unglazed.
One medieval glazed.
Two glazed Grimston.
Bowl rim like late medieval/transitional, with internal horizontal band of white slip under green glaze.
A. Rogerson (NAU).
E. Rose (NAU) 29 May 1987.

1989. Illington survey.
Finds as listed below and in file.

Context 2:
Forty-three medieval unglazed sherds.
Four medieval glazed sherds.
Three medieval glazed Grimston Ware sherds.
One glazed red earthenware sherd.
One probable 19th century stoneware sherd.

Context 3:
One Iron Age body sherd.

Context 4:
Seven medieval unglazed sherds.
One medieval glazed sherd.
Six glazed Grimston Ware sherds.
One post medieval green glazed sherd.
Six post medieval glazed red earthenware sherds.
One fragment of a post medieval clay tobacco pipe.

See file for sketch plans, contexts etc.
Identified by A. Rogerson (NAU).
E. Rose (NAU) 1 August 1989.

10 July 1996. NLA aerial photography.
Cropmarks of moat clearly visible.
M. Brennand (NLA) 26 September 2001.

July-September 2025. Stray Find.
1 medieval pottery sherd.
Information from PAS import.
P. Watkins (HES), 9 February 2026.

  • --- Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1996. TL 9490G - K.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Wretham.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 99 SW 8.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • POT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1350 AD to 1500 AD)
  • POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Feb 22 2026 11:42PM

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