NHER 61539 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Earthworks of boundary banks of possible medieval to post-medieval date on Hockwold Heath

January 2017. 'Brecks from Above' and Breckland National Mapping Programme.
The earthworks of an extensive area of boundary banks - and to a lesser extent ditches - of possible medieval to post medieval date are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S6) and on Lidar data (S7-S8).
The date of these boundaries is not certain. The relationship with the Anglo Saxon Fossditch (NHER 1089) would suggest that they are Saxon in date at the earliest, although a medieval to post medieval date seems most likely. A 16th-century map of Methwold Warren held in the Norfolk Record Office which depicts this area (see NHER 15525) may provide some additional information to the extent of enclosure on the heath during this period. It is feasible that some of these banks may have related to warrening activity, although the Fossdicth is thought to have formed the eastern edge of the extensive Methwold Warren (NHER 55577).
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 31 January 2017.