Monument record LWT 028 - Akethorp Manor Bank

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Summary

Surviving boundary ditch and part bank of the manor of Akethorpe in N Lowestoft.

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 5324 9508 (809m by 324m)
Map sheet TM59NW
Civil Parish LOWESTOFT, WAVENEY, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

Surviving boundary ditch and part bank of the manor of Akethorpe in N Lowestoft. Thought to pre-date Magdalene College's aquisition of the manor circa 1460, although could have been re-dug at that time. Apparently a similar ditch on Corton Common was dated to 15th century. E half of marked section now built over (S1).
1986: alongside the playing field of Lowestoft's Benjamin Britten High School is '180 paces of ditch (6 feet deep) and bank, the latter surmounted by oaks, plus a further 60 paces of ditch and hedge. This latterhas 6/7 species along its length (oak, holly, hawthorn, bramble, sallow, blackthorn & wild rose), which would suggest a respectably medieval origin. Not far away, in the middle of a housing estate (at the back of Stoven Close), is a 90 pace continuation of the feature. The ditch has gone, but the bank survives, surmounted by holly, hawthorn and oak trees (there is also the odd "springing" of hazel)' (Info supplied to Edward Martin, May 1986).
1993: Examination by Dr John Ridgard located 5 qualifying tree species over 30 yard length suggesting an age of circa 400-450 years. Possibly part of former parish boundary. In 1770 proprietor at Gunton built bank to separate Gunton from Lowestoft and to enclose part of the common which had previously laid waste. Tithe map of 1819 shows line of bank as marking boundary round an estate still owned by Magdalen College, Oxford. According to Davy Magdalen College acquired lordship of Akethorp manor in 1478. It had previously been owned by the Fastolf family. The hedgerow dating matches this date tolerably. Probably part of perimeter boundary for Akethorp manor (recorded in Domesday survey) and re-contoured (?) by Magdalen College. Its irregularity suggests it is not the 1770 bank. Details in (S2)

September 2013. Lothingland, Lowestoft and North Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Mapping Programme.
The earthworks relating to this medieval boundary are extant on the latest available aerial photographs (S4). However nothing was mapped at the site as they are shown to surviving as a field boundary until at least the 1940s and are well recorded on historic map evidence.
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 12th September 2013.

Sources/Archives (5)

  • --- Unpublished document: Abbot C.. 1998. A12 Lowestoft Northern Spine Road. An Archaeological Evaluation..
  • <S1> (No record type): Waveney District Council, Mrs Webber, letter to SAU, January 1990, map.
  • <M1> Unpublished document: Suffolk Archaeological Service. Parish Files. Parish file: (S1)(S2), field report with drawings.
  • <S2> (No record type): Ridgard Dr J, Historical Report on Hedge and Bank: Lowestoft/Gunton, ms, November 1993.
  • <S4> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Vertical Aerial Photograph. EARTH.GOOGLE.COM 03-AUG-2007 ACCESSED 18-SEP-2013.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (4)

Record last edited

Nov 9 2023 11:51AM

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