Record Details

NHER Number:20531
Type of record:Monument
Name:Earthworks of medieval moated enclosure, south of Rookery Farm

Summary

These earthworks are thought to be the remains of a medieval moated enclosure. In 1984 the owner of the land mentioned that a large number of 'white bricks' had been recovered from the central area, and it is thought that there may be another, outer, ditched enclosure on the site.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TM 2623 9242
Map Sheet:TM29SE
Parish:TOPCROFT, SOUTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

13 July 1984. Feature shown as water-filled ?moat on Ordance Survey maps.
Visited by A. Gregory (NAU); permanent pasture.
Feature and area to south of it completely overgrown, but east arm appears to run further south than maps show. Landowner reports that he found quantities of 'white bricks' in what would appear to be the interior of the moated site when planting trees some years ago. In the pasture field to north and east is a partly-filled ditch line 3-4m wide and about 1m deep running parallel to north arm of moat, turns south and then turns west to meet moat. Outer enclosure?
See sketch plan in file.
A. Gregory (NAU), 16 July 1984.

September 1997. Earthwork Survey.
Survey at 1:1000. Site extended to north and east.
1 medieval pottery sherd (unglazed body sherd).
Pottery identified by A. Rogerson (NLA).
See report (S1) further details and copy of plan (S2). The results of this survey are also summarised in (S3).
B. Cushion (NLA), 1 October 1997.

June 2000. Visit.
In pasture field, with woodland to southeast as recorded by Brian Cushion 1997. Field is grazed by cattle/horses in summer months.
H. Paterson (A&E), 3 July 2000.

Management Statement signed 11 September 2000.
See copy in office file.
H. Paterson (A&E), 12 September 2000.

Monument Types

  • TRACKWAY (Unknown date)
  • DITCH (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
  • ENCLOSURE (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
  • MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)
  • TOFT (Medieval - 1066 AD? to 1539 AD?)

Associated Finds

  • BRICK (Undated)
  • MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Undated)
  • BRICK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BRICK (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

  • SHINE

Sources and further reading

---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Illustration: Cushion, B. 1997. Plan of earthworks at Topcroft SMR 20531. Film. 1:1000.
<S1>Unpublished Report: Cushion, B. 1997. Topcroft SMR 20531. Earthwork Survey Report.
<S3>Article in Serial: Gurney, D. and Penn, K. (eds). 1998. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk 1997. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLIII Pt I pp 193-210. p 207.

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