NHER 38727 (Monument record) - Cropmarks of undated, medieval and post medieval features

August 2004. Norfolk NMP.
Cropmarks of undated and medieval to post medieval enclosures, field boundaries, possible trackways and other ditches are visible on aerial photographs ((S1) to (S6)). These cropmarks were previously recorded as part of NHER 21773 and a countryside stewardship agreement for part of this area is in the secondary file for that number. The cropmarks are centred on TG 3713 2957. Field boundaries and enclosures within this group of cropmarks are aligned on a predominantly northwest to southeast and southwest to northeast alignment. These ditches appear to belong to a medieval to post medieval field system part of which survived into the early 19th century and is represented on the East Ruston enclosure map of 1810 (S7). A large rectilinear enclosure with rounded corners, measuring up to 390m in length, is centred on TG 3710 2948. The double ditch forming part of the northeastern and southeastern side of this enclosure follows an old course of the East Ruston and Happisburgh parish boundary shown on the enclosure map (S7). The two southwest to northeast aligned ditches between TG 3793 2938 and TG 3717 2955 also relate to boundaries depicted on this map. The area between these these ditches and the southeastern boundary of the enclosure formed part of an area labelled as Wandsley Wood on the enclosure map (S7). The area to the northwest, defined by a cropmark ditch between TG 3686 2949 and TG 3699 2960, was recorded as Brickkiln Close on the enclosure map (S7). A kiln has previously been recorded within this area (NHER 8238). The curved eastern corner of the large rectilinear enclosure is mirrored by a similar double ditched boundary 10m further to the southeast in Happisburgh parish. It is likely that this also represents part of a contemporary enclosure or field system. A northwest to southeast aligned ditch between TG 3703 2974 and TG 3727 2962 partly follows the modern line of the East Ruston/Happisburgh parish boundary suggesting that it is likely to be of post medieval date. Parallel ditches at TG 3690 2989 and TG 3743 2968 may represent trackways or double ditched field boundaries. The alignment of the ditches representing the medieval to post medieval field pattern appears to be reflected by other cropmarks of trackways and footpaths to the north, west and south of this group (NHER 38719, 38720, 38721). A number of ditches within this group of cropmarks, and a possible enclosure at TG 3742 2996, have a roughly west to east and north to south alignment. The date of these features is uncertain although they may belong to earlier, Iron Age to Roman, or later, post medieval, field patterns.
J. Albone (NMP), 17 August 2004.