This was probably one of Crome's last major paintings and his most ambitious. Although it was not exhibited there in his lifetime, its subject was close to the heart of his Norwich audience. Mousehold Heath stretched north-east of the city, and had been the headquarters of Robert Kett's 'Norfolk rebellion' against the enclosure and other restrictions in 1594.

Crome shows it unenclosed, in its 'natural' state, open to all for forage and grazing and scattered with wild plants. In fact it had been enclosed in 1799, but Crome preferred to preserve local tradition that represent current national policy.