Giants Moat, Mileham

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameGiants Moat, Mileham
Alternative NamesBurghwood; Burwood
Historic CountryNorfolk
Modern AuthorityNorfolk
1974 AuthorityNorfolk
Civil ParishMileham

A medieval moated site with cropmarks of outer enclosures. When the moat was being cleared out in 1945, the remains of the drawbridge, medieval pottery fragments and a Late Saxon sword were found. Fieldwalking has since recovered Roman and medieval pottery fragments. (Norfolk HER)

Hilt of Viking sword of C10-C11 date found in 1945 in cleaning out a C13 moat at Great Wood, Mileham. The sword is 2 ft 9 1/2 ins long, the hilt 6 1/8 inches. In Norwich Castle Museum. Found close to the site of the drawbridge of the moat. Roman and mediaval pottery scatter around moat. A strongly defensive homestead moat; no surface indications of original causeway or building, complete, in good condition, and situated in open pasture. The island stands level with the surrounding area, the arms, which are water filled have a max width of 15.0m and a depth of 3.0m. The moat is spring fed with a modern drainage ditch running from the south arm. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

This may be the Burghwood listed by Harvey, although that is more probably another name for Mileham Castle, separately listed by Harvey. For bringing this site to our attention Gatehouse thanks Roger Wilson.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTF913197
Latitude52.7418594360352
Longitude0.831330001354218
Eastings591300
Northings319700
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

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Books

  • Clarke, R.R., 1960, East Anglia ancient people and places (Thames and Hudson, London) p. 232
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co)
  • Bryant, A., 1826, Bryant's Map of Norfolk
  • Blomefield, F., 1809, ''Launditch Hundred: Mileham' An Essay towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk Vol. 10 p. 21 (tenurial history) online transcription

Journals

  • Wilson, 1965, Medieval Archaeology Vol. 9 p. 39-40 pl.vi.a download copy
  • Clarke, R.R., 1952, Norfolk Archaeology Vol. 30 p. 158
  • 1940-46, Archaeological Bulletin B1 p. 25