Skip over navigation

View a printer friendly version of this page

Norfolk Heritage Explorer

Record Details

NHER Number:	15535
Type of record:	Monument
Name:	Medieval moat, medieval/post-medieval trackway and multi-period finds

Summary

A medieval moat and a medieval/post medieval trackway are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. The platform inside the moat survives as low earthworks. Objects collected include a Neolithic scraper, Roman metalwork, an Early Saxon disc brooch, Late Saxon objects, medieval and post medieval objects, coins and pottery and the lid (in the shape of a head) from a 18th or 19th century tobacco jar. Metal detecting between 2010 and 2012 recovered prehistoric worked flints; Romano-British and medieval pottery sherds; Roman and medieval coins; post-medieval tokens and Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval metal objects.

Images

Location

Grid Reference:	Not displayed
Map Sheet:	TF81NE
Parish:	LITCHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

19 April 1976. Ordnance Survey air photography.
Soilmarks.
Trackway (and moat).
D. Voisey (NLA), 25 January 1995.

December 1979. [1].
Cropmark of probable moat, east and north sides, and possible west side. East side joins kink in feature marked as stream on 6 inch Ordnance Survey map (S1) but now dry and only visible as slight depression on air photograph.
On ground, distinct central platform, sloping on east and north, very little difference in height on west.
South side gentle slope to present stream course.
Medieval and post medieval sherds; one stoneware, five post medieval including one combed slipware; ten glazed Grimston; fourteen coarse medieval (also 19th century sherds, not seen). Farmer notes that immediately east of this feature stood a small cottage at turn of century.
Identified by A. Rogerson (NAU).
Information from and visit by Ordnance Survey.

Photocopy of air photograph (S2) in file.
E. Rose (NLA), 7 January 1980.

October 1995. Field to north and northeast of moat.
Negroid head in lead from lid of 18th/19th century tobacco jar, compare to one from Snettisham with much late post medieval junk.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 31 October 1995.

November 1995. Metal detecting.
In field immediately northeast of site.
Fragment of an openwork belt fitting/dress fastener of uncertain form. 16th/17th century.
Much later material also recovered.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 28 November 1995.

Post medieval object found November 1995 may be a spur terminal, compare with examples from Beeston with Bittering (NHER 4084), Sporle with Palgrave (NHER 28809) and Seething (NHER 40302).
A. Rogerson (NLA), 18 February 2004.

November - December 2005. Metal-detecting. Site extended to whole field.
1 Early Saxon disc brooch.
4 medieval coins, 4 buckle frames, 1 seal matrix, 3 buckle plates, 1 annular brooch, 1 buckle (S3), 1 buckle/folding clasp, 2 composite two-part belt mounts, 1 composite strap end and 1 ?buckle plate fragment.
6 medieval/post-medieval vessel fragments (4 rim, 2 leg), 1 vessel repair, 1 ring and 1 thimble/sewing ring.
1 post-medieval coin (Spanish), 4 furniture escutcheon plate fragments, 1 apothicarys weight, 1 casket key, 1 sword chape and 1 military badge (French, Napoleonic).
Coins identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 16 January 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 20 February 2014.

December 2005 - January 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 Neolithic scraper.
2 Roman pottery sherds.
1 medieval coin, 12 pottery sherds, 1 ceramic tile, 2 strap mounts, 1 brooch, 1 buckle frame fragment, 1 rivert, 1 composite strap-end fragment and 1 lead weight fragment.
2 post medieval coins. 2 pottery sherds, 1 belt mount and 1 buckle fragment.
1 post medieval/modern Crude lead disc, 1 lead alloy toy fragment, 1 Silver ferrule, 1 Clog clasp, 1 folding rule fragment and 1 unidentified object fragment.
1 undated unidentifed object.
Flint identified by P. Robins (NCM), pottery by A. Rogerson (NLA), coins 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), 20 February 2014.

August - September 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 medieval buckle (gilt).
1 medieval/post-medieval lead weight.
1 post-medieval coin.
Coin identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 16 October 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 11 March 2014.

September-October 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 medieval unusual buckle (12th or 13th century) (S4).
Identified by S. Ashley (NLA). See description and drawing in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 23 November 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 11 March 2014.

February - March 2007. Metal-detecting.
3 Roman pottery sherds (Greyware).
1 ?Roman metal working debris (?evidence of barbarous radiates).
1 Roman/Early Saxon Brooch (bow).
1 Late Saxon harness cheek piece.
2 medieval coins, 1 pottery sherd (Grimston), 1 bar mount and 1 buckle plate.
1 medeival/post-medieval pottery sherd (LMT) and 1 buckle frame.
1 post-medieval token, 1 furniture stud, 1 buckle and 1 button.
Pottery identified by A. Rogerson (NLA), numismatic items by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 12 April 2007.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 20 February 2014.

March - April 2007. Metal-detecting.
1 Roman brooch (dolphin).
1 medieval strap end.
1 medieval/post medieval buckle frame.
1 post-medieval token, 1 apothicarys weight, 1 buckle frame, 1 belt clasp and 1 lead cloth seal.
Numismatic items identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by S. Ashley (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 13 May 2007.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 20 February 2014.

April - May 2007. Metal-detecting.
1 Roman pottery sherd Grayware).
2 medieval pottery sherds (1 unglazed, 1 Grimston with internal glaze) and 2 lead weights.
1 medieval/post-medieval sheet rumbler bell.
1 post medieval pottery sherd (Cologne / Frechen stoneware with applied tendrils and leaves) and 1 croatal bell.
1 undatable lead ?spiggot and 2 lumps of casting waste.
Objects Identified by S. Ashley (NLA) and pottery Identified by A. Rogerson (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 14 June 2007.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 26 February 2014.

May - June 2008. Metal-detecting.
1 Roman coin.
1 medieval coin, 1 pottery sherd and 1 strap end (trapezoidal).
1 post-medieval coin weight. 1 pottery sherd, 1 drawer handle escutcheon fragment, 1 strip and 1 silver cap badge (reused as a button).
Numismatic items identified by A. Marsden (NLA), silver cap badge by E. Darch (NLA) and other objects by A. Rogerson (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 18 July 2008
Updated by J. Page (HES), 20 February 2014.

February- March 2009. Metal detecting
prehistoric worked flints, 2 medieval and 1 post-medieval coin, Roman brooch, medieval horse harness pendant, bell, pot mend, chape, rings, medieval/post-medieval vessel, button and post-medieval apothecaries' weight, Roman, medieval and post-medieval sherds
see lists in file
A. Rogerson (NLA) 18 April 2009.

August - September 2009. Metal detecting.
Medieval jetton and token, medieval and post-medieval metal objects.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 15 October 2009.

March-April 2010. Metal detecting.
Prehistoric worked flints; Romano-British and medieval sherds; 2 Roman and 3 medieval coins; Romano-British, medieval and post-medieval metal objects.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 7 May 2010.

February-March 2012. Metal-detecting.
Medieval metal objects and two post-medieval tokens.
See description in file.
S. Ashley (HES), 23 April 2012.

Monument Types

FINDSPOT (Late Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)
FINDSPOT (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
FINDSPOT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
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)
MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SITE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
TRACKWAY (evidence: Soilmark, Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FINDSPOT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
MOAT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
SITE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

BELL (Undated)
CASTING WASTE (Undated)
SPIGOT (Undated)
FLAKE (Late Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)
SCRAPER (TOOL) (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
SCRAPER (TOOL) (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
BROOCH (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
BRIDLE BIT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
HARNESS FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
BELL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BELL (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BUTTON (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
BUTTON (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
CAME (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
HARNESS MOUNT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
HARNESS MOUNT (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
HARNESS PENDANT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
JETTON (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
POT MEND (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
RING (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
RIVET (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
ROOF TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SCABBARD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
SIEVE (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
STRAP END (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
THIMBLE (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 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)
APOTHECARY WEIGHT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
BADGE (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)
CLOTH SEAL (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)
DRESS COMPONENT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
FIGURINE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
FURNITURE FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
KEY (LOCKING) (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
MOUNT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
SCABBARD (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
SPUR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
STRAP FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
SWORD BELT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
TOKEN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
TOKEN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
VESSEL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
COIN (17th Century - 1605 AD to 1606 AD)
TOKEN (17th Century - 1650 AD to 1670 AD)
TOKEN (17th Century - 1669 AD to 1669 AD)

Protected Status

SHINE

Sources and further reading

---	Publication: British Museum. 2010. Treasure Act Annual Report 2008. p xxxii.
---	Aerial Photograph: OS 76-019-083.
---	Aerial Photograph: OS 76-019-085.
---	Photograph: NLA. Finds Photograph.
---	Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
---	Photograph: NCC Find Identification and Recording Service. c. 1975-2000. HES Find Polaroid Collection. HES Find Polaroid Collection. polaroid. black and white.
---	Drawing: Voisey, D.. 1995. Cropmark transcriptions compiled from the Norfolk Air Photo Library Ordnance Survey Collection.
---	Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---	Secondary File: Secondary File.
---	Article in Monograph: Ashley, S. 2016. Anglo-Norman elite objects from castle and countryside. Castles and the Anglo-Norman World. Proceedings of a Conference held at Norwich Castle in 2012. Davies, J. et al (eds). pp 281-298. Fig 18.7 No 45.
<S1>	Map: Ordnance Survey, First Edition, 6 Inch. 1879-1886. Ordnance Survey 1st Edition 6 inch map..
<S2>	Aerial Photograph: OS 76-019-084.
<S3>	Illustration: Gibbons, J.. 2005. Drawing of a medieval gilt buckle.. Film. 2:1.
<S4>	Illustration: Gibbons, J.. 2006. Drawing of a medieval buckle.. Find Illustration. Film. 2:1.