NHER 49241 (Monument record) - Medieval to post medieval drainage features

May 2008. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks and vegetation marks of a series of medieval to post medieval drainage ditches and embankments are visible on aerial photographs on Chedgrave Marshes and the Haddiscoe Island (S1-S6). The majority of these features probably developed from natural drainage creeks that developed in this area as the estuary started to drain and silt up in the post-Roman period.

The irregular and curvilinear channels appear to broadly consist of two types of channels that are consistent with the pattern identified to the north in the area surrounding Breydon Water (S7), where the naturally forming salt marsh creeks tended to be either closely packed sub-parallel channels or more widely spaced meandering creeks. It is likely that many of these drainage ditches represent reasonably early components in the drainage of the marshes. There were no Tithe or Enclosure maps available for this area at the time of recording and therefore little definite dating or phasing of components can be attempted. Although most pre-date the drainage systems, tracks and enclosures depicted on the Ordnance Survey first edition map. By this date it would appear that more rectilinear dykes have superseded many of the irregular and curvilinear components.

The most complex area of drains and embankments appears to be the in area of Seven Mile House (NHER 10495), which dates potentially to at least 1650 (S7). The dykes and creeks appear to all feed into an area of relatively broad channels and/or ponds at TG 4569 0165. Given the proximity of Seven Mile House and Pettingell's Mill then it is likely that this area represents an elaborate water management system that has been created from the natural creek system in the late medieval and earlier part of the post medieval period.
S. Massey (NMP), 28 May 2008.