Many of the subjects below are covered in more detail within this website. Our research continues as ongoing projects with updates as more interesting  information reveals itself.

Iron

Trade in Rising or Castle Rising as it now known possibly started in the late Iron-age period under Roman rule where it is evident the archaeological records indicate smelting Iron derived from the Iron pan found trapped within the marsh marine silts. Iron was also recovered from Carrstone in small quantities but enough to make it viable, locally known as Iron-stone.  Evidence to support this can be found at the nearby Parish of Snettisham where during an excavation carried out by Norfolk Archaeological unit at the site of poppy fields excavated pits  exposing metal working kilns with iron blooms (smeltered iron)

Salt

Another major industry was Salt production however this is not evident for the Roman period but well marked in the landscape for the Saxon period and continuing on in to the Medieval periods. Domesday records provide an amazing insight for the period Saxon to Norman transition. Much of the salt was traded and taken by sea.

Silver Carr

In recent years a paper was produced arguing the Roman’s were excavating stone from an area close to Castle Rising. Recently this has been confirmed during a channel 4 Time Team dig in 2012 at Brancaster in which members of our group were involved. The Romans were excavating Silver Carr  (greyish white stone) most likely from an area named on old maps as “white hills” in Castle Rising. (Small quantities are still found) This building stone was used in construction of the Roman Shore fort at Brancaster during the late forth century indicated by the evidence of recovered coins. The silver carr which is generally only found in our geographical area is also seen in the fabric of Reedham church Norfolk which was on the coast within the Roman period indicating a lost roman building within the Reedham area. This evidence would indicate a port-like situation at Rising with the river Babingley providing much needed shelter for vessels travelling around coastal routes.

Barnack Stone

Stone was brought in from Northamptonshire via the River.Nene or River Wellend for the construction of the castle and church during the Norman period from a estimated period between 1143-1295

Mills

Mills have been major part of Risings history with early records dating back to the Saxon period where the river Babingley has been exploited to drive water wheels to grind corn, power machinery producing paper, flax amongst things. The mills were very important and sometimes essential to many of the villagers that lived in parishes seated around Castle Rising.

Carrstone (Small Carr)

Carrstone brown/orange in colour was quarried locally near Royden Common and is found in some of the older buildings in Castle Rising  see geology section

Sand

The quality of the silica sand here has excellent properties for glass making, building, casting maulds plus many other uses. Was heavily exploited in the Victorian era.  We also have discovered records of the use of the sand dating back to 1340