rpt3161 land off wyngates blofield dba v3 · 2013. 3. 19. · environment record (nher), which...

Report 3161

nps archaeology

Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Land off Wyngates, Blofield, Norfolk

Prepared for Norfolk Homes Ltd. Weybourne Road Industrial Estate Sheringham Norfolk England NR26 8WB

Rebecca Sillwood, BA, AIfA

November 2012

txgou20130296 13th mar

PROJECT CHECKLIST

Project Manager Nigel Page

Draft Completed Rebecca Sillwood 19/10/2012

Graphics Completed David Dobson 25/10/2012

Edit Completed Jayne Bown 09/11/2012

Signed Off David Whitmore 13/11/2012

Issue 1

NPS Archaeology Scandic House 85 Mountergate

Norwich NR1 1PY

T 01603 756150 F 01603 756190 E [email protected] www.nau.org.uk

BAU 3161/01-04-13-2-1142 © NPS Archaeology

Contents Summary ........................................................................................................1

1.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................1 2.0 Government policy ..........................................................................................2

2.1 The Regulatory and Advisory Framework for Cultural Heritage .............2 2.2 Local Policy ............................................................................................2

3.0 Location, Geology and Topography ................................................................4 4.0 Sources Used in the Assessment ...................................................................4

4.1 NHER records ........................................................................................4 4.2 Historical Sources...................................................................................4 4.3 Cartographic Sources.............................................................................4

5.0 Archaeological and Historical Evidence ..........................................................5 5.1 Archaeological Evidence ........................................................................5 5.2 Historical Evidence ...............................................................................18 5.3 Cartographic Evidence .........................................................................18

6.0 Discussion ....................................................................................................23 7.0 Conclusions ..................................................................................................23

Acknowledgements.......................................................................................24 Bibliography and Sources .............................................................................24 Appendix 1: Monuments within 1km of the site .............................................25 Appendix 2: Cropmarks/Earthworks within 1km of the site ...........................25 Appendix 3: Find Spots within 1km of the site ..............................................26 Appendix 4: Listed Buildings within 1km of the site.......................................27

Figures Figure 1 Site location Figure 2 Prehistoric, Roman and Saxon NHER records within 1km of the site Figure 3 Medieval NHER records within 1km of the site Figure 4 Post-medieval NHER records within 1km of the site Figure 5 Undated and Modern NHER records within 1km of the site Figure 6 Cropmarks within 1km of the site Figure 7 Faden’s Map of Norfolk, 1797 Figure 8 Bryant’s Map of Norfolk, 1826 Figure 9 Ordnance Survey Map, 1st edition, 1880s Tables Table 1 Summary of NHER records within 1km of the site Table 2 Prehistoric NHER records within 1km of the site Table 3 Roman NHER records within 1km of the site Table 4 Saxon NHER records within 1km of the site Table 5 Medieval NHER records within 1km of the site Table 6 Post-medieval NHER records within 1km of the site Table 7 Modern NHER records within 1km of the site Table 8 Undated NHER records within 1km of the site

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Location: Land off Wyngates, Blofield, Norfolk District: Broadland Grid Ref.: TG 3365 0986 Planning Ref.: Pre-application Client: Norfolk Homes Limited

Summary An archaeological desk-based assessment was conducted for Norfolk Homes Limited ahead of proposed development at land off Wyngates, Blofield, Norfolk. Post-medieval pottery has been recovered during fieldwalking within the development area, although this evidence is believed to have derived from manuring and/or nightsoiling the area in the past. There is a scant amount of archaeological evidence recorded close to the development area however a wider search radius of 1km returned several important sites, including a Bronze Age barrow cemetery, the moated site of a palace of the Bishops of Norwich and a deserted medieval settlement. It should be noted that these significant sites are located at some distance from the proposed development site itself. In brief, there is little potential on the site for archaeological remains to be encountered. There have not been many archaeological interventions in the area, however, and the lack of data close to the sit, may be due to this rather than representing a genuine lack of activity.

1.0 INTRODUCTION An archaeological desk-based assessment has been commissioned to assess the potential of land off Wyngates, Blofield, Norfolk (TG 3365 0986) (Fig. 1) to contain heritage assets. The assessment has been undertaken to prior to submission of a planning application, in order to provide information on the archaeological and historical background of the area. The work was commissioned and funded by Norfolk Homes Limited. This programme of work was designed to assist in defining the character and extent of any archaeological remains within the proposed development area, following the guidelines set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (Department for Communities and Local Government 2012). The results will enable decisions to be made by the Local Planning Authority about the treatment of any archaeological remains found. In order to achieve the assessment aims a wide range of source material was examined. The material included unpublished reports on previous archaeological work, maps, published material, online material and information held in the Norfolk Historic Environment Record (NHER).

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2.0 GOVERNMENT POLICY

2.1 The Regulatory and Advisory Framework for Cultural Heritage

The treatment of archaeological remains and the Historic Environment is regulated by the National Planning Policy Framework (Department for Communities and Local Government 2012). This policy replaces Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (2010) and provides advice to planners and developers alike on the treatment and consideration of Heritage Assets. The Framework states that ‘Local planning authorities should set out in their Local Plan a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment’. It also states (Section 12.128): ‘In determining applications…should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.’

The Framework goes on to discuss the importance of understanding the importance and impact a development may have on any archaeological remains or Heritage Assets within a site. There is also some weight given to ‘undesignated’ assets, that is, those that are unknown and therefore not assigned a status, such as a Scheduled Monument or a Listed Building. Conservation is the great watchword with those which ARE designated. ‘Non-designated heritage assets of archaeological interest that are demonstrably of equivalent significance to scheduled monuments, should be considered subject to the policies for designated heritage assets (Section 12.139).’

2.2 Local Policy The planning policy of the Broadland district is covered under the Joint Core Strategy (adopted March 2011), which states: ‘5.4. The area has a wealth of environmental assets ranging from international and national status, to those of local importance. These must be safeguarded and enhanced for the benefit of current and future generations. These assets include biodiversity (wildlife and habitats), built heritage and the wider historic environment, ancient monuments and archaeological assets, geodiversity (geological features), landscape and historic landscape character; as well as more general aspects such as the countryside and rural character.’

The Broadland District Local Plan also covers archaeological sites: ‘ENV20 All sites of development proposals which appear to raise archaeological issues will be subject to an evaluation of their archaeological significance. Any planning permissions granted will be subject to appropriate conditions’

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3.0 LOCATION, GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY The area considered by this report lies in the Broadland District of Norfolk, to the east of Norwich. The proposed development site itself is bounded by housing and fields; the A47 bypass runs just 50m to the north. The development site consists of one large arable field. The bedrock geology of the development area is Crag Group - Sand and Gravel, sedimentary bedrock formed up to five million years ago in the Quaternary and Neogene Periods. The superficial geology varies between Lowestoft Formation – Diamicton in the north-east of the site and Happisburgh Glacigenic Formation - Sand. Superficial Deposits formed up to 2 million years ago in the Quaternary Period.1.

4.0 SOURCES USED IN THE ASSESSMENT

4.1 NHER records The primary source for archaeological information in Norfolk is the Norfolk Historic Environment Record (NHER), which details archaeological discoveries and sites of historical interest. In order to characterise the likely archaeological potential of the site data was collated from all NHER records which fell within a 1km radius of the site, which recovered 62 records in total. The results are summarised in Table 1, below, and presented in more detail in Section 5.1 below.

Record type No. within study area

Find Spot 22

Listed Buildings 16

Cropmarks/Earthworks 14

Site of archaeologically or historically significant structure or place 10

TOTAL 62

Table 1. Summary of NHER records within 1km of the site

4.2 Historical Sources The historical background of the parish is considered to be of benefit in reconstructing the early landscape of the site. The sources used in this report (Section 5.2, below) include archaeological excavation reports, local histories and the ‘History from the Sources’ edition of the Domesday Book, which helps to chart population and landscape in the early medieval period.

4.3 Cartographic Sources A range of maps were examined in order to establish the nature of more recent land-use within the proposed development area. The earlier maps allowed

1 http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/

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tentative reconstruction the character of the medieval and early post-medieval landscape (Section 5.3, below). Some maps were accessed at through the Historical Maps of Norfolk website (http://historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk/mapexplorer/) and some at Old Maps (http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html). Not all of the maps considered are reproduced within this report. The maps examined in detail are:

Faden’s Map of Norfolk in 1797 (Barringer 2004a)

Bryant’s Map of Norfolk in 1826 (Barringer 20042)

Tithe Map of Blofield (NRO Ref. DN/TA 830)

Ordnance Survey Map, 1st edition, 1880s

5.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL EVIDENCE

5.1 Archaeological Evidence (Figures 2-6; Appendices 1-4) 5.1.1 Prehistoric Evidence (Figures 2 and 6; Appendices 1, 2 and 3) A total of seventeen records with evidence dating to the prehistoric period are recorded in the area, with eight of these relating to find spots, and the remaining nine related to cropmarks recorded from aerial photography of the area (Table 2 below). Some of the cropmarks are of a definite and clear type, associated with certain monuments, and some may appear to pre- or post-date other landscape features in the area, thus enabling a date to be assigned. The cropmarks within the study area with potential prehistoric elements include a possible Bronze Age barrow cemetery. A barrow was a burial mound, often surrounded by a small ditch, which is often the part that survives in an agricultural landscape (the mound having been ploughed out and levelled) and can be identified in aerial photographs. Three ring ditches are recorded here (NHER 12781-3), and have been grouped accordingly as a cemetery group (NHER 49688). The location of these monuments, overlooking a minor valley and stream, is typical. These features lie over 550m away from the site, to the south. Another possible barrow was recorded to the west of the development area (NHER 45138), although this is only a tentative identification; it is thought that there is an outside possibility that this could be a medieval mill mound. Other cropmarks relate to field boundaries, enclosures and trackways of possible Iron Age to Roman date, although most of these are located a reasonable distance away from the site.

NHER No. Description

10220 A Neolithic or Bronze Age quartzite macehead was found on allotments

10255 Neolithic flaked flint axe recovered during building work

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12781 Cropmarks of a Bronze Age ring ditch (part of barrow cemetery NHER 49688)



17120 Beaker (Late Neolithic) barbed and tanged flint arrowhead found on the surface of ploughed field

17746 A Palaeolithic flint flake, a Neolithic flint knife and medieval and post-medieval pottery found on surface of field

25316 Prehistoric flint scraper found in digging of garden of 44 Highview Close

28602 Neolithic pottery, charcoal, fired clay and a complete flint pick found while digging a drain here

39847 Fieldwalking recovered prehistoric flint, medieval and post-medieval pottery, and a later geophysical and metal detector survey recorded possible archaeological features and post-medieval metalwork

42837 Metal detecting in 2005 recovered a late prehistoric flint scraper

45138 Cropmarks and earthworks of a possibly Bronze Age barrow or medieval windmill mound

45150 Cropmarks of a possible Iron Age to Roman trackway and field system

49568 Cropmarks of multi-period activity, including possible Iron Age to Roman and medieval to post-medieval elements

49569 Cropmarks of multi-period activity, including possible prehistoric to Roman or medieval to post-medieval elements

49571 Cropmarks of enclosures and fields boundaries of unknown, but possibly of late prehistoric to Roman date

49688 Cropmarks of a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery

Table 2. Prehistoric NHER records within 1km of the site

The finds evidence from the area in this period mainly derives from casual finds, with most of the prehistoric evidence of Neolithic or Bronze Age date, although a single find of possible Palaeolithic date was also recorded within the area. 5.1.2 Roman Evidence (Figures 2 and 6; Appendices 1, 2 and 3) A total of ten records containing Roman evidence are recorded within the area, however many of these relate to casual finds of a single piece of pottery (NHERs 10221, 10265, 40306 and 41833). A fragment of a Roman brooch (NHER 25651) was found towards the eastern edge of the study area. The cropmark evidence, as described above in Section 5.1.1, is not accurately dated and all of the cropmarks recorded here are described as either ‘Iron Age to Roman’ or ‘Late Prehistoric to Roman’, with likely later elements on all sites (see Table 3 below).

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10221 Fragments of Roman pottery found here during building work

10265 Church of St. Andrew and St. Peter – dedicated in 1427, restoration work in 1880 reported finding Norman work, Late Saxon knife found whilst moving headstones, Roman pottery during pipe laying, memorial to the Paston family dated 1630, helmet which hung above this now in NCM

25651 Metal detecting in 1989, 2005 and 2010 recovered a Roman brooch, a medieval pot mend and papal bulla, and post-medieval coins, jettons and tokens with other metalwork

40306 Metal detecting and fieldwalking in 1997 and 2011 recovered a fragment of Roman pottery, and medieval and post-medieval metalwork and pottery

41833 Fragment of Roman pottery found casually during groundworks on sports field

41929 Metal detecting in 2005 recovered Roman and post-medieval finds





Table 3. Roman NHER records within 1km of the site

5.1.3 Anglo-Saxon Evidence (Figures 2 and 6; Appendices 1, 2 and 3) There are just two records relating to the Anglo-Saxon period found within the survey area. One relates to a Late Saxon knife recovered during moving of headstones in the churchyard of SS Andrew and Peter (NHER 10265). The second record details cropmarks which are of sub-rectangular pits, and could either be evidence of Saxon sunken-featured buildings or later extraction pits (NHER 49575).


10265 Church of St Andrew and St Peter – dedicated in 1427, restoration work in 1880 reported finding Norman work, Late Saxon knife found whilst moving headstones, Roman pottery during pipe laying, memorial to the Paston family dated 1630, helmet which hung above this now in NCM

49575 Cropmarks of possible Saxon sunken-featured building or extraction pits

Table 4. Saxon NHER records within 1km of the site

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5.1.4 Medieval Evidence (Figures 3 and 6; Appendices 1-4) A total of twenty records containing medieval evidence are recorded within the study area however only one of these is located within a 500m radius of the site and this relates to fragments of 12th-century pottery (NHER 8488) found during digging of a garden. The parish church of SS Andrew and Peter (NHER 10265) lies more than 500m from the proposed development area, to the south. The church was dedicated in 1427, but during restoration work in the Victorian period it was noted that Norman stonework was seen. One of the most important sites in Blofield lies within the search area, albeit close to the south-western edge. The site is a moated one, thought to have been the site of the Bishop’s Palace during the medieval period (NHER 12445). The site was identified from aerial photographs and documentary sources, and consisted of an oval or oblong moat, the ditch for which measures around 8-11m wide. No trace of the site remains on the ground, and an evaluation on the site revealed no archaeological finds or features. This implies that either the site has been levelled or that the focus of any settlement was elsewhere. See the section on Historical Evidence (Section 5.2) for more detail on the history of the site. Also within the area, but again on the very edge of the survey radius (to the south), the site of Braydeston deserted medieval settlement (NHER 11728) is recorded. This medieval village is believed to have been situated close to the church of St Michael's Braydeston (to the south, outside of the study area), and in 1428 was listed as supporting ten householders, but was later deserted, and nothing now remains of the settlement.


8488 Fragments of 12th century pottery found during digging in garden


11728 Site of Braydeston deserted medieval village

12445 Moated site – possible site of Bishop’s palace, cropmarks and evaluation trench, along with DBA

13378 Site of medieval cross marked on 19th century OS mapping, nothing remains now

16450 Two sherds of medieval pottery found on footpath in beet field

17053 Excavation of old ditch east of church recovered some medieval pottery found, also flint wall footings, which continues beneath an early 19th century barn, and a brick vaulted drain

17427 A 13th-14th century jug handle found in spoil from electricity trench


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22230 Fieldwalking recovered several fragments of 12th-13th century pottery


31642 Watching brief on pipeline route revealed evidence of brick and roof tile manufacture of 19th century date, earlier churchyard wall

32029 Metal detecting in 1995/6 and 2005 recovered medieval and post-medieval finds

39847 Fieldwalking recovered prehistoric flint, medieval and post-medieval pottery, and a later geophysical and metal detector survey recorded possibly archaeological features and post-medieval metalwork

40306 Metal detecting in 1997 and 2011 recovered a fragment of Roman pottery, and medieval and post-medieval metalwork and pottery

45138 Cropmarks and earthworks of a possible Bronze Age barrow or medieval windmill mound

45143 Cropmarks of a medieval to post-medieval road visible on aerial photographs




Table 5. Medieval NHER records within 1km of the site

The cropmark evidence in the area is mainly various trackways and field boundaries which may have medieval to post-medieval elements, however, there is also the site of a stretch of medieval to early post-medieval road (NHER 45143), which was marked on Faden’s map of 1797, but was removed by Bryant’s map of 1826. It is believed that the road led towards Blofield Cross (NHER 13378), a medieval cross which was marked on 19th century mapping, although no trace remains today. A ring ditch was also recorded, and although it is most likely to be a Bronze Age burial mound, it has also been suggested that it could be a medieval mill mound (NHER 45138). This interpretation seems unlikely. Cropmarks of possible extraction pits are also recorded within the area (NHER 49575). A watching brief on a pipeline, which passed close to the eastern edge of the churchyard (NHER 31642), recorded post-medieval evidence but also a possible earlier churchyard wall, possibly contemporary with the main building (15th-century). The rest of the sites mostly record finds evidence, and are at some distance from the site.

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5.1.5 Post-medieval Evidence (Figures 4 and 6; Appendices 1-4) A total of thirty-four records with evidence from the post-medieval period were recorded within the area. Thirteen of these sites are listed buildings, most of which are of 19th-century date, and located at a reasonable distance from the development area. An example nearby is Turret House (NHER 15318) which lies around 100m to the east of the site. Blofield School (NHER 54770) also lies only 140m to the west of the development. The White House (NHER 46019) lies 220m to the south-west. All of these buildings are 19th-century in date. The proposed development site itself contains archaeological evidence of post-medieval date, in the form of pottery assemblage (NHER 39648) including salt-glazed stonewares, glazed red earthenware and one fragment of malting kiln floor tile. These were all found during fieldwalking in the area. Table 6 details all NHER entries containing post-medieval evidence within the survey area.


10256 Fragment of early post-medieval pottery found here

12289 Globe Inn bowling green, now disused, dates from before 1777

15318 Turret House – a Gothick house built in 1832 by John Withers, bricklayer, for himself

15319 Beech House – built around 1700

15581 Site of brick kiln marked on Faden’s 1797 map



20957 Site of barn at Mallet’s Farm, dated to 1659, probably demolished before listing status confirmed


31387 Metal detecting in 1991 recovered an Elizabeth I farthing dated to 1575



39648 Fieldwalking at this site recovered many fragments of post-medieval pottery


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40821 Blofield courthouse – petty sessions held here until 1906


42800 Metal detecting in 2005 recovered two post-medieval coins and a post-medieval dress fastener


45949 The Rookery, Church Road – early 19th century house

45950 Church Farm Barn, Church Road – red brick thatched barn built in 1716

46018 Little Timbers, Danesbower Lane – early 18th century

46019 The White House, North Street – early 19th century house

46020 Hollybank, Yarmouth Road – 19th century house

46058 Owl’s Barn, Lingwood Road – early 18th century

46078 Thatched Cottage, Church Road – early 18th century

46079 House at Owl’s Barn, Lingwood Road – early 18th century

46080 Manor Farm Barn, Yarmouth Road – mid 18th century of brick and thatch

49567 Earthworks of circular embankment seen on aerial photographs




53968 Metal detecting in 2010 recovered a post-medieval whistle

54770 Blofield School, Plantation Road – built in 1877, enlarged in 1899

Table 6. Post-medieval NHER records within 1km of the site

5.1.6 Modern Evidence (Figure 5; Appendix 1) Two modern sites are recorded within the NHER; a bridge and a milestone. Plantation Road Bridge (NHER 41259) is a concrete bridge constructed in 1983 and was the largest in Norfolk at the time. It is located just to the north-west of the proposed development site. An early 20th-century milestone (NHER 56575) survives on Yarmouth Road some 300m to the east of the development site. Table 7 details all NHER entries containing modern evidence within the survey area.

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41259 Plantation Road Bridge constructed in 1983

56575 Early 20th century milestone, marking Norwich 7 miles and Yarmouth 15 miles

Table 7. Modern NHER records within 1km of the site

5.1.7 Undated Evidence (Figures 5 and 6; Appendices 1, 2 and 3) Five records with undated elements were returned within the area; two cropmarks sites, two sites of geophysical surveys and an excavation. The two cropmark sites (NHER 45140 and 49564) demonstrate no distinctive characteristics that might allow their date to be determined. The two geophysical survey sites (NHER 39847 and 55679), like the cropmark sites are similarly lacking in distinctive characteristics. A small excavation (NHER 17053) carried out to the south of the development area recorded flint wall footings which remain undated. Medieval and post-medieval activity. Table 8 details all NHER entries containing undated evidence within the survey area.



39847 Fieldwalking recovered prehistoric flint, medieval and post-medieval pottery, and a later geophysical and metal detector survey recorded possible archaeological features and post-medieval metalwork

45140 Cropmarks of undated rectangular enclosure and linear ditches

49564 Cropmarks of undated field boundaries and trackways

55679 Geophysical survey in 2011 revealed linear anomalies, possibly former field boundaries, undated

Table 8. Undated NHER records within 1km of the site

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5.2 Historical Evidence Blofield is the name of a Hundred and a village named in the Domesday Book as ‘Blafelda’. The name comes from Blawefelda, from the Old English meaning ‘blue’ in the sense of ‘pigment made from woad plants’ and ‘felda’ meaning open ground (Rye 1993, 14). Penn has stated (2000, 1) that those vills which gave their names to their hundreds may have had some early administrative importance. Blofield was held by the Bishop of East Anglia, both before and after the Conquest, firstly by Stigand, as a private manor, and then by his brother Aethelmaer who was the main landowner in 1066 (Brown 1984, 10;28), with two carucates of land (a carucate was a unit of land based on the area a plough team of eight oxen could till in a single annual season) with nine villagers (villeins) and two slaves (serfs). Aethelmaer was ‘deprived of office’ in 1070, during the purge of English bishops by the Normans, and William de Beaufeu became bishop, with the Blofield estate passing to him. The Bishops of East Anglia were based at Thetford until around 1094, when the See was re-located to Norwich ahead of the completion of the Cathedral there. Penn (2000, 2) states that medieval documents witnessed by the Bishop were sometimes attested ‘at Blofield’, and that the manor was used as a private residence, being within easy reach of Norwich. Only one manor was known in Blofield, and as there is also only one moated site evident here, it is highly likely that this is the site of the Bishop’s Palace. The manor and landholdings was later held by the Crown, the Caston family and the Pastons. No trace of the manor buildings survive, and are surmised from aerial photographic evidence of the area.

5.3 Cartographic Evidence (Figures 7-9) The earliest map available to be consulted for this assessment was Faden’s map of Norfolk (Fig. 7) dating to 1797, the scale of which is too small to provide much detail, but the map can be useful for reconstructing road patterns and identifying local landmarks. The development site is located to the north of the original Yarmouth Road, subsequently bypassed by the A47 to the north of the village. The next map, Bryant’s map of 1826 (Fig. 8), is also at a relatively small scale, and therefore not helpful for site specifics. However it does give a general idea of the size of the village. The tithe map (not reproduced here, http://historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk/ mapexplorer/) of 1845 (NRO Ref. DN/TA 830) shows the proposed development site to be made up three separate fields. The most northerly field (No. 359) reflects the current shape of the northerly part of the development area. The southern part is divided into two longer strips which front onto the Yarmouth Road (Nos. 365 and 366). The First edition Ordnance Survey map of the 1880s (Fig. 9) shows the same configuration of fields as depicted on the tithe map. The 1907 Ordnance Survey map shows that the southern two fields have been amalgamated into one. On the 1951 Ordnance Survey map the area to the south

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of the site, fronting on to the Yarmouth Road has been infilled with a few small houses. There appears to have been little change in the area until the second half of the 20th century; the 1972 Ordnance Survey map shows that the north and south fields have been amalgamated into one, and remain so until the present time. The 1946 aerial photograph of the site also shows no change in configuration of the fields whilst an aerial photograph of 1988 shows that the A47 bypass has been built, and the residential estate ‘Wyngates’ is under construction.

Figure 9. Ordnance Survey Map, 1st edition, 1880s

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6.0 DISCUSSION From the available evidence it would appear that the proposed development site has limited potential for sub-surface archaeological remains to be present. Although there clearly has been activity in the general vicinity in the past - most notably in the prehistoric period and from the medieval period onwards – there is little evidence from the site itself. A Bronze Age barrow cemetery lies at some distance to the south of the development site, on lower ground down the side of a valley; the development site is on higher ground. The village was one of importance in the medieval period with an important manor belonging to the Bishops of Norwich located at some distance to the development site itself. A deserted medieval village is located on the edge of the study area. The recovery of post-medieval pottery from within the site boundary may be as a result of manuring and/or depositing nightsoil on the land.

7.0 CONCLUSIONS Blofield was a place of some significance during both the prehistoric and medieval periods being the site of a Bronze Age barrow cemetery and also a palace of the bishops of Norwich, its importance was mainly due to its location. In the Bronze Age the area was a focus for funerary monuments, located just below the top of a south-facing small ridge. The presence of the Run Dike, at the base of the valley, with the barrows lying around half way up the slope facing south, was ideal. Little other evidence of the prehistoric period has been recorded in the area, and no focus for settlement has been found. The village was in existence as a small settlement in the Late Saxon period, as documented in the Domesday Book, and was recorded to have been owned by the family of the future Archbishop of Canterbury, Stigand. After the Norman Conquest many previously wealthy and well-associated Anglo-Saxon families found themselves in difficulties. By the time of the Domesday Survey the manor had transfer to Bishop William and after the relocation of the See to Norwich, Blofield became the private Palace of the Bishops of Norwich. Little trace remains of the site of this manor in Blofield, although is likely to be the same as the moated site recorded near the western limit of the study area (approximately 1km from the development site). Post-medieval pottery has been found within the boundary of the development site however there is sparse evidence of remains of any period in the general vicinity. It is most likely that the pottery was introduced to the site during manuring or spreading nightsoil, rather than being evidence for activity or occupation here. The historic maps support this; little development is shown to have occurred here for many centuries and small fields have gradually been combined to create one large one.

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Acknowledgements The author would like to thank Norfolk Homes Ltd for commissioning and funding this assessment. Norfolk Historic Environment Record provided the HER data. This report was illustrated and produced by David Dobson and edited by Jayne Bown.

Bibliography and Sources Barringer, J.C. 2004a Faden’s Map of Norfolk. Larks Press Edition

Barringer, J.C. 2004b Bryant’s Map of Norfolk in 1826. Larks Press Edition

Brown, P. (ed) 1984 Domesday Book 33: Norfolk, Part One and Two. Phillimore

Department for Communities and Local Government

2012 National Planning Policy Framework

Penn, K. 2000 Site of the former Bishop’s Palace, Blofield: Report on an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment. Norfolk Archaeological Unit Report No. 548

Percival, J. 1995 Archaeological Observations along a Pipeline Route at Bay Bridge, Blofield, Norfolk. Norfolk Archaeological Unit Report No. 153

Rye, J. 1993 A Popular Guide to Norfolk Place-Names. The Larks Press http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html Accessed 18.10.2012

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Appendix 1: Monuments within 1km of the site NHER No. Description

11728 Site of Braydeston deserted medieval village

12289 Globe Inn bowling green, now disused, dates from before 1777

12445 Moated site – possible site of Bishop’s palace, cropmarks and evaluation trench, along with DBA

13378 Site of medieval cross marked on 19th century OS mapping, nothing remains now

15581 Site of brick kiln marked on Faden’s 1797 map




55679 Geophysical survey in 2011 revealed linear anomalies, possibly former field boundaries, undated

56575 Early 20th century milestone, marking Norwich 7 miles and Yarmouth 15 miles

Appendix 2: Cropmarks/Earthworks within 1km of the site NHER No. Description




45138 Cropmarks and earthworks of a possibly Bronze Age barrow or medieval windmill mound

45140 Cropmarks of undated rectangular enclosure and linear ditches



49564 Cropmarks of undated field boundaries and trackways

49567 Earthworks of circular embankment seen on aerial photographs



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49688 Cropmarks of a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery

Appendix 3: Find Spots within 1km of the site NHER No. Description

8488 Fragments of 12th century pottery found during digging in garden

10220 A Neolithic or Bronze Age quartzite macehead was found on the allotments

10221 Fragments of Roman pottery found here during building work

10255 Neolithic flaked flint axe recovered during building work

10256 Fragment of early post-medieval pottery found here

16450 Two sherds of medieval pottery found on footpath in beet field

17120 Beaker (Late Neolithic) barbed and tanged flint arrowhead found on the surface of ploughed field

17427 A 13th-14th century jug handle found in spoil from electricity trench


22230 Fieldwalking recovered several fragments of 12th-13th century pottery

25316 Prehistoric flint scraper found in digging of garden of 44 Highview Close


28602 Neolithic pottery, charcoal, fired clay and a complete flint pick found while digging a drain here

31387 Metal detecting in 1991 recovered an Elizabeth I farthing dated to 1575


39648 Fieldwalking at this site recovered many fragments of post-medieval pottery


41833 Fragment of Roman pottery found casually during groundworks on sports field


42800 Metal detecting in 2005 recovered two post-medieval coins and a post-medieval dress fastener

42837 Metal detecting in 2005 recovered a late prehistoric flint scraper

53968 Metal detecting in 2010 recovered a post-medieval whistle

27

Appendix 4: Listed Buildings within 1km of the site NHER No. Description


15318 Turret House – a Gothick house built in 1832 by John Withers, bricklayer, for himself

15319 Beech House – built around 1700

20957 Site of barn at Mallet’s Farm, dated to 1659, probably demolished before listing status confirmed

40821 Blofield courthouse – petty sessions held here until 1906

41259 Plantation Road Bridge constructed in 1983

45949 The Rookery, Church Road – early 19th century house

45950 Church Farm Barn, Church Road – red brick thatched barn built in 1716

46018 Little Timbers, Danesbower Lane – early 18th century

46019 The White House, North Street – early 19th century house

46020 Hollybank, Yarmouth Road – 19th century house

46058 Owl’s Barn, Lingwood Road – early 18th century

46078 Thatched Cottage, Church Road – early 18th century

46079 House at Owl’s Barn, Lingwood Road – early 18th century

46080 Manor Farm Barn, Yarmouth Road – mid 18th century of brick and thatch

54770 Blofield School, Plantation Road – built in 1877, enlarged in 1899

rpt3161 land off wyngates blofield dba v3 · 2013. 3. 19. · environment record (nher), which...

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