Record Details
| NHER Number: | 4010 |
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| Type of record: | Building |
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| Name: | St Thomas a Becket's Chapel |
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Summary
According to Ordnance Survey information this chapel stands on site of Culesthorpe or Custthorpe deserted medieval village (see NHER 3983). The chapel operated as a cell of Westacre priory with two or three monks living on the northeast side of the chapel. In the 18th century a stone coffin containing a skeleton was discovered here. Only flint footings now remain, but digging on the chapel site in 1980-81 recovered a large number of glazed tiles.
Images - none
Location
| Grid Reference: | TF 7880 1482 |
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| Map Sheet: | TF71SE |
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| Parish: | WESTACRE, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK |
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Full description
According to Ordnance Survey antiquity: stands on site of Culesthorpe or Custthorpe deserted medieval village. See NHER 3983.
A cell of Westacre priory, two or three monks lived on northeast side of chapel, which was 18.3 x 9.2m (60ft x 30ft) with a burial ground. Large fairs were held here. A stone coffin with skeleton was found in the 18th century. See (S1).
Tom Martin's Church Notes of around 1740 under Newton by Castleacre draws a ruined chapel with a pointed window in one of two gables, no roof, space for door. Is this really the building?
E. Rose (NAU) 6 June 1984.
Report from Michael de Bootman that a hole was dug in the chapel about 1980-1 and 'a whole stack' of glazed tiles dug up and sold off.
A. Gregory (NAU) 4 June 1984.
Listing 1985 states that only flint footings remain but lists these as Grade II!
E. Rose (NAU) 24 February 1986.
Press cutting (S3) in file.
19 April 1976. Ordnance Survey aerial photography.
Soilmarks. A feature associated with the chapel?
D. Voisey (NLA) 26 January 1995.
Monument Types
- CELL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- CHAPEL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- DESERTED SETTLEMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- INHUMATION (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
Associated Finds
- COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- HUMAN REMAINS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
Protected Status
- Listed Building
- Higher Level Stewardship
- SHINE
Sources and further reading
| --- | Aerial Photograph: OS 76-020-181. |
| --- | Aerial Photograph: OS 76-020-182. |
| --- | Aerial Photograph: OS 76-020-183. |
| --- | Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 71 SE 19 [2]. |
| --- | Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card. |
| --- | Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Westacre. |
| --- | Secondary File: Secondary File. |
| <S1> | Serial: Bryant, T. H. About 1900. Hundred of Freebridge Lynn. |
| <S2> | Serial: Blomefield, F. 1807. An Essay Towards a Topographical History of the County of Norfolk. Vol VI. p 239. |
| <S3> | Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1991. Mystery cross found in ruins of chapel. 29 January. |
Related records - none
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