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Record Details

NHER Number:1582
Type of record:Building
Name:St Mary's Church, Snettisham

Summary

The majority of this large cruciform church dates to around 1370, although the transept walls incorporate earlier work of around 1300. The church is a well-known example of the Decorated style of architecture. Most of the church is in this style although rebuilding of the north transept occurred in 1597, and it is around that time that the chancel was demolished. The bowl of the font dates to the 14th or 15th century and the eagle lectern (which was found in the churchyard) is Early Tudor. There is a very rare example of a 13th century sanctus bell on display in the nave.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TF 6905 3427
Map Sheet:TF63SE
Parish:SNETTISHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

One of the finest Decorated style churches in Norfolk, though the chancel was demolished around 1600. Cruciform with spire, all of around 1370, however the transept walls incorporate work of around 1300. North transept rebuilt 1597 with inscription. Important assemblage of brasses and memorials. Good hatchments. Eagle lectern, 15th century, found in churchyard as were two Bawsey tiles now in church. Piece of slag built into wall.
Neolithic hammerstone kept in vestry.
See secondary file for further details.
Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), 13 November 1992.

This is one of the sixty five Norfolk churches selected for (S1).
D. Gurney (NLA), 17 February 2006.

Visit. November 2013
Ledger slabs and important brass moved from the nave to the west end of church as recorded on carved inscriptions on the ledgers. 19th century. Proposal for storage of chairs and kitchen in these areas.
S.Heywood (HES) 26 November 2013

Monument Types

  • CHURCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds

  • METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Undated)
  • HAMMERSTONE (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
  • BRASS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • DOOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FONT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FURNITURE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • Xbell frame (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • DOOR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WINDOW (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • Xtile pavement (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

  • Listed Building
  • Listed Building

Sources and further reading

---Publication: [Unknown]. [unknown]. Palimpsests Behind 'Norfolk' Brasses (N).
---Aerial Photograph: TF6834B,F,K,M,R.
---Article in Serial: Fawcett, R. 1980. A Group of Churches by the Architect of Great Walsingham. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXVII Pt III pp 292-294. p 277.
---Map: Bryant, A.. 1826. Bryant's Map of Norfolk.
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, W. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 654-655; Pl 22.
---Monograph: Pevsner, N. 1962. North-West and South Norfolk. The Buildings of England. 1st Edition. pp 316-317; Pl 9.
---Leaflet: St. Mary's, Snettisham.. The Witley Press Ltd., Hunstanton.
---Monograph: Hart, S.. 2010. Medieval Church Window Tracery in England. pp 16, 95, 97, 101, 104, 108.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2013. Heritage centre will tell story of village's history. 6 May.
---Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1975. Up above Snettisham £6000 work. 29 January.
---Newspaper Article: Dereham and Fakenham Times. 1975. £6000 restoration. 7 February.
---Newspaper Article: Lynn News. 1999. [Article with accompanying photo of St Mary's Church, Snettisham, undergoing restorations after the attack in January 1915]. 31 August.
---Photograph: EGL26; FWV 16-22.
---Website: Knott, S.. 2006. 498: St Mary, Snettisham. http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/snettisham/snettisham.htm. 24 November 2006.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
---Designation: English Heritage. 1990-2013. English Heritage Listing Notification. Notification. DNF3827.
<S1>Publication: Jenkins, S. 2000. England's Thousand Best Churches.

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