In old documents the parish of Barton Turf is called Bertuna, Berton, Berton by Bromholm, and sometimes Barton next Smalburgh. The addition of the word ‘Turffe’, a reference to the extensive medieval peat digging that created Barton Broad, was probably in use by around 1400. Barton Turf was originally the name given to the area of marshland and fen described as ‘below the town of Barton’, and only later used to refer to the whole parish. Some parts of Barton Broad were in existence as early as 1415 when they were being rented out for fishing. One such fishery was called ‘Buryallewater’ and another ‘Seyveswater’, both in the manor of Barton Bury Hall.

At the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086 the largest part of the parish was the manor held by the Abbot of St Benet’s Abbey. In the 12th century the Abbot granted a lease to Robert Kibbald, a knight who also possessed a manor in the parish of Beeston. The two manors became known as Barton Kybalds and Beeston Kybalds. The manor of Barton Bury Hall was a small dependant manor most likely linked to the St Benet’s manor of Barton Kybalds. Also within the parish of Barton Turf was part of the neighbouring manor of Beeston Leames.

Anthony Norris, himself being for a time Lord of the Manor of Barton Kybalds, recounted the history of the manors of Barton Kybalds and Barton Bury Hall in his unpublished manuscript notes which now reside in the Norfolk Record Office.  A transcript of the relevant pages can be viewed as a PDF document.