NHER 42179 (Monument record) - Medieval or post medieval enclosure

November 2005. Norfolk NMP.
Earthworks of a small rectangular enclosure, of medieval to post medieval date, are visible on aerial photographs (S1). This enclosure is located at TG 4702 0890. It is rectangular in plan with rounded corners and measures 12m by 5m externally. The location of this enclosure, on marshland that developed during the post Roman period, indicates that it is likely to be of medieval to post medieval date. It is similar to other small enclosures visible as earthworks on the marshland, with another one recorded 670m to the southeast (NHER 42180). Information from [1] suggests that these enclosures are probably sheep cotes. These small enclosures were used to pen sheep overnight so that their manure could be collected. The manure was then transported from the marshes for use as fertiliser on arable fields on the
‘upland’ (S2).
J. Albone (NMP), 28 November 2005