NHER 42098 (Monument) - Possible post medieval field boundaries

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The cropmarks of a group of undated, but possibly post medieval, field boundaries are visible on aerial photographs to the west of French’s Farm, Waxham. (S1). The site is centred on TG 4380 2596. A slightly curvilinear ditch runs through the centre of the site, to the side of which are a series of roughly perpendicular linear ditches. The central ditch is broadly aligned along the axis of the post medieval boundaries and tracks to either side, suggesting that it may be broadly contemporary. However, the division is not marked on the undated Waxham Enclosure map (S2). This map must have been surveyed between 1820 and 1840 (after 1820 as Waxham Cut is marked and this navigable channel was dug in the 1820’s, and before the 1840 Tithe map was surveyed). The Waxham Cut was a navigable channel was dug in the 1820’s and ran from the northern end of Horsey Mere to Lound Bridge to the north (NHER 35366). Therefore if this field boundary or drain is indeed post medieval it must have been removed by the 1820s.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 September 2005.