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Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Record Details

NHER Number:	4192
Type of record:	Monument
Name:	Late Neolithic and Bronze Age site, medieval settlement and multi-period finds

Summary

A fragment of Beaker pottery found during fieldwalking suggests that this site was occupied during the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, although the nature of that occupation is uncertain. A ring ditch, probably dating to the Bronze Age, and a ditched enclosure of unknown date are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. Metal-detecting in 2010 recovered other finds from this period, including an Early Bronze Age flint dagger and a Middle Bronze Age/Late Bronze Age rapier/knife fragment. This was also the site of a settlement during the medieval period, and is recorded in documents dating from the 15th century. Fieldwalking and metal-detecting between 1979 and 2010 recovered prehistoric pot boilers, pottery dating from the Roman to the post-medieval periods, including concentrations of medieval pottery fragments, and Roman to post-medieval metal objects, including Roman, medieval and post-medieval coins, an Iron Age harness fitting, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon brooches, a medieval ampulla and a post-medieval book fitting.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:	TF 89 13
Map Sheet:	TF81SE
Parish:	FRANSHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

30 March 1946.
Enclosures and linear ditches shown as earthworks on (S1).
Information from A. Rogerson (NAU).
D. Edwards (NAU).

Also a large ring ditch. For ngr see Notes.
D. A. Edwards (NAU), 29 January 1985.

1969. Fieldwalking.
Medieval sherds found along the north half of Field 73 and northwest quadrant of Field 75 by P. Wade-Martins (NAU). Now context 4.

1979. Detailed field walking.
Contexts 1 to 3 in Field 73.
Medieval sherds and slag.
Contexts 5 to 9 in Field 75.
Medieval and post-medieval sherds including Grimston, Roman base sherd greyware; sherd in Thetford form but medieval fabric; lava fragments.
See full details see (S2).
E. Rose (NAU), 9 July 1984.

February-March 1991. Fieldwalking finds. Contexts 10 to 73. Whole field rewalked.
Medieval concentration context 74, pot boiler concentration. For ngr see Notes.
See (S2).
A. Rogerson (NLA), March 1992.

This site is recorded as Med 24, Med 25, Med 26 and Med 27 in (S3). The tenurial history of the settlement can be traced back to the 15th century.
See (S3) for more details.
S. Spooner (NLA), 15 December 2005.

August-September 2005. Metal-detecting. in area of Med 27.
4 medieval pottery sherds (1 unglazed, 3 glazed Grimston).
1 medieval/post-medieval pottery sherd (LMT).
Identified by A. Rogerson (NLA). See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 14 October 2005.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 6 March 2014.

October-November 2005. Metal-detecting.
1 medieval coin and 1 buckle plate.
1 post-medieval coin weight and 1 lead trade weight (4oz).
Objects Identified by S. Ashley (NLA), coins by A. Marsden (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 17 December 2005.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 6 March 2014.

November-December 2005. Metal-detecting.
2 medieval coins and 1 swivel from ?leash.
3 post-medieval coins, 1 ?finger ring/ferrule, 1 lead unidentifed object and 1 lead weight (2oz).
Coins identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 16 January 2005.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 13 February 2014.

December 2005-January 2006. Metal-detecting.
4 Roman pottery sherds (3 greyware, 1 amphorea) and 2 brooches (Colchester and Langton down types).
1 Late Saxon pottery sherd (Thetford).
2 medieval coins, 15 pottery sherds (inc 6 Grimston) and 1 lead pot mend.
1 ?medieval fragment of lava quern and 1 lead weight.
1 medieval/post-medieval pottery sherd.
2 post-medieval coins, 1 lead powder charge cap/measure, 1 buckle frame, 4 lead weights and 1 fragment of a tin alloy button.
Pottery identified by A. Rogerson (NLA), coins identified by J. Davies (NCM) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 19 February 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 19 February 2014.

February-March 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 medieval lead pot mend and 1 strap end.
Identified by S. Ashley (NLA). See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 14 April 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 20 February 2014.

March-April 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 Late Saxon buckle (S4).
3 medieval coins (1 venitian), 8 pottery sherds (inc 4 Grimston) and 1 strap-end.
1 medieval/post-medieval pottery sherd.
1 post-medieval ceramic peg tile fragment and 1 buckle.
Ceramic finds identified by A. Rogerson (NLA), coins by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See lists and (S4) in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 16 May 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 6 February 2014.

November-December 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 Roman ?coin blank.
3 medieval coins and 2 buckles.
Numismatic items identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by A. Rogerson (NLA). See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 12 January 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 13 February 2014.

March-April 2008. Metal-detecting.
2 Roman coins, 1 pottery sherd (greyware) and 1 brooch (colchester type).
1 Early Saxon brooch (damaged, either crusiform or short-long).
2 Late Saxon pottery sherds (Thetford type jar rims).
4 medieval coins, 2 jettons, 89 pottery sherds (31 Grimston), 1 Globular headed rivet, 1 buckle frame, 1 button, 1 strap end, 2 fragmets of ?strap end, 2 strap fittings, 1 harness mount, 1 lead seal matrix and 4 lead pot mends.
2 ?medieval lead spindle whorles.
1 medieval/post-medieval jetton, 6 pottery sherds, 1 buckle frame, 3 fragments of cast cooking vessels, 1 Rim sherd of a lathe-turned vessel, 1 ?vessel repair patch, 1 Whittle-tang knife shoulder bolster and 2 lead weights.
2 post-medieval coins, 7 pottery sherds, 3 buckle frames, 2 fragments of buckle frames, 6 buttons (2 lead), 1 harness mount/belt mount, 1 spur attachement and 1 croatal bell supension loop.
Numismatic items identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and pottery and other objects by A. Rogerson (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 10 May 2008.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 6 February 2014.

April-May 2008. Metal-detecting.
1 Bronze Age axe blade (either socketed or Palstave) (S5).
1 Roman coin and 1 brooch (trumpet).
7 medieval coins, 1 two part strap end, 1 lead seal Matrix (inscription). 1 lead pot mend, 1 pottery sherd, 2 buckle frames, 1 tinned buckle plate, 1 horse harness fitting and 1 key fragment.
3 medieval/post-medieval vessel leg fragments.
1 post-medieval token, 1 coin weight, 1 rowel spur fragment, 1 lead cloth seal and 4 buttons (1 lead, 1 tinned).
Numismatic items identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 13 June 2008.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 3 March 2014.

January-February 2009. Metal-detecting.
Six medieval and one post-medieval coin, medieval brooch and seal matrix, post-medieval purse frame.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 14 March 2009.

February/March 2010. Metal-detecting.
Prehistoric flint flake; one Roman and one medieval coin; medieval and post-medieval metal objects.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 6 April 2010.

April-May 2010. Metal-detecting.
Early Bronze Age flint dagger (S6), Middle Bronze Age/Late Bronze Age (S7), medieval, medieval/post-medieval and post-medieval metal objects.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 29 June 2010.

March-April 2010. Metal-detecting.
Two medieval coins.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 7 May 2010.

May-June 2010. Metal-detecting.
One Roman, six medieval and six post-medieval coins, Iron Age (S8), medieval and post-medieval metal objects.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 17 July 2010.

Monument Types

DITCH (Unknown date)
ENCLOSURE (Unknown date)
FINDSPOT (Unknown date)
BURNT MOUND (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
FINDSPOT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
FINDSPOT (Late Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)
OCCUPATION SITE (Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1501 BC)
FINDSPOT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
FINDSPOT (Early Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 1501 BC)
RING DITCH (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
ROUND BARROW (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
FINDSPOT (Beaker - 2300 BC to 1700 BC)
FINDSPOT (Middle Bronze Age to Late Bronze Age - 1600 BC to 701 BC)
FINDSPOT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
FINDSPOT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
FINDSPOT (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
FINDSPOT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
FINDSPOT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FINDSPOT (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
SETTLEMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FINDSPOT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Undated)
QUERN (Undated)
WHETSTONE (Undated)
POT BOILER (Lower Palaeolithic to Late Iron Age - 500000 BC to 42 AD)
FLAKE (Late Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)
AXEHEAD (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
DAGGER (Early Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 1501 BC)
POT (Beaker - 2300 BC to 1700 BC)
KNIFE (Middle Bronze Age to Late Bronze Age - 1600 BC to 701 BC)
RAPIER (Middle Bronze Age to Late Bronze Age - 1600 BC to 701 BC)
HARNESS FITTING (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 299 AD?)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN BLANK (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 125 AD to 138 AD)
BROOCH (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
BUCKLE (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
AMPULLA (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BRICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BUCKLE (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
BUTTON (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
CAME (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
CASTING WASTE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
CHAFING DISH (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FURNITURE FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
HARNESS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
HARNESS FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
HARNESS PENDANT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
JETTON (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
JETTON (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
KEY (LOCKING) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
KNIFE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
POT (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
POT MEND (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
QUERN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
RING (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SPINDLE WHORL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
STRAP END (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
VESSEL (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
WEIGHT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
WEIGHT (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1205 AD to 1210 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1248 AD to 1250 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1248 AD to 1251 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1413 AD to 1422 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1413 AD to 1422 AD?)
COIN (Medieval - 1422 AD to 1490 AD)
COIN (16th Century - 1504 AD to 1509 AD)
BOOK FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
BRICK (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
BUCKLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
BUTTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
BUTTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
CLAY PIPE (SMOKING) (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
CLOTH SEAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN WEIGHT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
CROTAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
FERRULE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
FINGER RING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
FURNITURE FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
HARNESS MOUNT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
POWDER MEASURE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
PURSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
ROWEL SPUR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
SPUR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
STRAP FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
TOKEN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
WEIGHT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (16th Century - 1544 AD to 1547 AD)
COIN (16th Century to 17th Century - 1558 AD to 1603 AD)
COIN (16th Century - 1580 AD to 1581 AD)
COIN (17th Century - 1604 AD to 1619 AD)
COIN (17th Century - 1625 AD to 1634 AD)
COIN (17th Century to 18th Century - 1695 AD to 1701 AD)

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---	*Fieldwork: Fransham Survey. G73. AJGR.
---	*Fieldwork: Fransham Survey. G75. AJGR.
---	Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
---	Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Late Saxon. Fransham, Great.
---	Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Fransham, Great [2].
---	Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1>	Aerial Photograph: v. RAF AP 3G TUD UK100 part IV 35292.
<S2>	Archive: Fransham Field Walking Boxfile.
<S3>	Thesis: Rogerson, A.. 1995. Fransham: an archaeological and historical study of a parish on the Norfolk boulder clay.
<S4>	Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2006. Drawing of a Late Saxon copper alloy buckle fragment. Film. 2:1.
<S5>	Illustration: Ashley, S. 2008. Drawing of a ?Bronze Age copper alloy axehead fragment. Film. 1:1.
<S6>	Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2010. Drawing of an Early Bronze Age flint dagger. Film. 1:1.
<S7>	Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2010. Drawing of a probable Middle/Late Bronze Age coppper alloy knife or rapier blade fragment. Film. 1:1.
<S8>	Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2010. Drawing of an Iron Age copper alloy harness fitting. Film. 2:1.

Related records - none

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Parish Summary: Fransham (Parish Summary)