A HISTORY OF NORFOLK 



and underwent so many changes and modifications in the process that 

 the original Macedonian coin is scarcely recognizable in the feeble 

 imitations on the coins in circulation among the Britons in pre-Roman 

 times. 



The word ECEN which is found inscribed upon some of the coins 

 found in the eastern counties has been identified by Sir John Evans' 

 with the Iceni, the tribe which inhabited what are now Norfolk, Suffolk 

 and parts of adjacent counties. The early coins of this district indeed 

 possess certain well-marked peculiarities which distinguish them as the 

 currency of an independent tribe. Particulars of the various coins found 

 at the following localities in Norfolk will be found in the topographical 

 list at the end of this article : Bressingham, Brettingham, Brunstead, 

 Cawston, Norwich, and Thetford. 



Ancient Roads 



The difficulty of assigning the ancient earthworks of Norfolk to a 

 precise period has already been pointed out. An equally difficult task 

 lies before one who attempts to define the origin and ages of the ancient 

 roads of which considerable traces remain in the county. 



The Padders' Way, or the Peddars' Road, as it is denominated 

 on the Ordnance Survey maps, is however unquestionably one of the 

 oldest roads in Norfolk. It extends from Holme near Hunstanton in a 

 south south-eastern direction through a considerable part of the county, 

 passing quite near Ringstead, and further on a little to the west of Fring. 

 It next passes on the east side of Anmer. From thence it extends to the 

 ancient earthworks of Castle Acre, a point at which several roads from 

 different directions meet. Southward from this place its course is not so 

 clearly marked, but Mr. E. M. Beloe,* F.S.A., has been able to identify 

 it at several points further south. 



The Great Fen Road is another of the ancient roads which in part 

 of its course runs through Norfolk, but it is doubtful if it existed before 

 the Roman period. 



Doubtless the Romans on their arrival in Norfolk made use of the 

 ancient roads which they found in existence. With the appearance of 

 the Romans however the prehistoric period ends. 



Topographical List of Prehistoric Antiquities in Norfolk 



In the following list an attempt is made to record the various sites 

 in Norfolk which have furnished prehistoric antiquities. The following 

 abbreviations in the references to authorities have been adopted : — 



E.A. = The Eait Anglian. 



Evans B. = The Ancient Bronze Implements^ Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain, by 

 John Evans, 1881. 



* The Coins of the Ancient Britons, 1864, pp. 357, 358. 



* ' The Padders' Way and its attendant Roads,' Cambridge Antiquarian Society, Communications, ix. 

 pp. 77-96. 



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