Blofield manor of Bishop of Norwich

Has been described as a Certain Palace (Bishop), and also as a Certain Fortified Manor House

There are no visible remains

NameBlofield manor of Bishop of Norwich
Alternative Names
Historic CountryNorfolk
Modern AuthorityNorfolk
1974 AuthorityNorfolk
Civil ParishBlofield

Documentary sources and earthworks survey have identified this as a medieval moat and manor site probably belonging to the Bishops of Norwich. Excavations at the site revealed no features and few finds dating to the medieval and post medieval periods and this suggests that the site may have been levelled off at some stage, probably whilst the land was being ploughed for agriculture. The western extent of the main moat is visible as both cropmarks and soilmarks and suggests an oval or oblong shape to the site. The eastern extent being indicated by the previously recorded earthworks and the course of the water channel running around the site. The ditch of the moat appears to be 8-11m wide and the remains of an outer bank are suggested by the pale soilmark surrounding the moat. An additional moated enclosure may have existed to the NE of the main one, although the cropmarks and soilmarks in this area are not clear. Additional channels and boundaries indicate a further series of enclosed areas to the west and north. Although some of these may postdate the main moated site and may be additions to the site. (Norfolk HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Residential manor of the Bishop of Norwich. Probably included in the licence to crenellate issued to the bishop in 1327 although as this was for all his houses may not have resulted in any building work.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTG330090
Latitude52.6288414001465
Longitude1.44210004806519
Eastings633080
Northings309050
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Thompson, M.W., 1998, Medieval bishops' houses in England and Wales (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing) p. 181
  • Blomefield, F., 1807, 'Blofield Hundred: Blofield' An Essay towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk Vol. 7 p. 209-211 (tenurial history) online transcription

Other

  • Payne, Naomi, 2003, The medieval residences of the bishops of Bath and Wells, and Salisbury (PhD Thesis University of Bristol) Appendix B: List of Medieval Bishop's Palaces in England and Wales (available via EThOS)