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Record Details

NHER Number:2635
Type of record:Monument
Name:'Wella' deserted medieval settlement, Beachamwell

Summary

This is the site of the deserted medieval settlement of 'Wella', once part of a much larger village which had three parish churches. The earthworks on this site show the former churchyard, a hollow way and tofts, with possible building platforms. The church of All Saints is ruined, the surviving walls collapsed in 1989. A rare fragment of a Saxon cross was found near the church, and metal detecting has recovered multi-period finds of pottery and metalwork from the Roman to the medieval periods.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:Not displayed
Map Sheet:TF70SE
Parish:BEACHAMWELL, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

Earthworks of deserted village with ruined church of All Saints'.

1867. Font and tomb excavated.
1907. Tiled floor and coffins excavated.
1973. Bead found.
1974. Roman, Late Saxon and medieval pottery found.
1977. Roman sherd found.
1979. Iron Age, Neolithic, Late Saxon pottery, a medieval annular brooch (S5) and a post-medieval copper alloy sheet folded into a tube (S6 )were found.
1985. Found with metal detecting. Medieval metalwork, Iron Age terret, Roman coins.
1986. Found with metal detecting. Late Saxon metalwork (S7, S8 and S9).

1989. Field Observation.
Carried out by E. Rose when the west wall of the ruins of All Saints’ church which had contained a decorated window and a coat of arms dated 1612, collapsed and the rubble was sorted. Large quantities of previously invisible reused stonework in 14th and 15th-century styles, with traces of burning, was recovered. Also, a fragment of a late Saxon wheelheaded cross, of which only three certain and one possible examples were previously known from the county, was recovered.
This work is noted in both (S4) and (S17).

1990. Found with metal detecting. Iron Age coin and a La Tene I brooch (S10), Roman coins, statue, finger later identified as a linch pin or a vehicle fitting by the British Museum (S11) and Roman or medieval spear .
1991. Metal detecting. Roman, Early Saxon, Middle Saxon, Late Saxon coin and metalwork
1993. Roman and medieval sherds, Roman brooch, medieval bulla, Iron Age, Roman, medieval coins. Roman, Middle Saxon, Late Saxon, medieval, post medieval metalwork.
1994. Metal detecting finds. Late Bronze Age (S12), Roman, medieval, post medieval coins and metalwork.
1995. Metal detecting. Bronze Age awl, Iron Age coin, Roman, medieval and post medieval metalwork and coins
1996. Metal detecting finds. Roman miniature spearhead, Middle Saxon, Late Saxon, medieval finds.
1997. Metal detecting finds. Roman and medieval coins. Roman, Early Saxon, Middle Saxon, medieval, post medieval metal objects.
1997/1998. Metal detecting finds. 12 Roman coins, medieval and post medieval coins, medieval Boy Bishop token, post medieval jetton. Roman brooch and knob. Middle Saxon/Late Saxon and medieval metal finds.
1999. Metal detecting finds. Roman, medieval and post medieval coins. Middle Saxon, Late Saxon, medieval and post medieval metal finds.
For full details, photographs, building records, see file, see (S1).
A. Rogerson (NLA) 3 April 1999 amended by M. Langham-Lopez (HES), 11 July 2013.

22 July 1996. NLA air photography.
Cropmarks of moat visible at NGR TF 7531 0473.
H. Clare (NLA), 4 January 2002.

Before 15 November 1999. Metal detecting. [1].
5 Roman, 3 medieval and 2 post medieval coins.
Roman, medieval (S13), post medieval and undatable metal finds.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson, (NLA) 26 May 2000.

The deserted medieval settlement of 'Wella', or 'Well', was once part of a much larger village which had three parish churches. The earthworks on this site show the former churchyard, a hollow way and tofts, with possible building platforms. The church of All Saints is ruined, the surviving walls collapsed in 1989. A rare fragment of a Saxon cross was found near the church, and metal detecting has recovered multi-period finds of pottery and metalwork from the Roman to the medieval periods.
See (S1), (S2), copy in file, and (S3).
S. Spooner (NLA) 21 July 2005.

Before 25 April 2006. Metal detecting.
2 Roman, 2 medieval and 1 post medieval coins.
Iron Age, Roman, Early Saxon, Middle or Late Saxon, medieval and post medieval metal objects.
See list in file.
The finds include a medieval silver-gilt inscribed quatrefoil brooch that was donated to the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2007.60).
Report of rubble footings exposed by tillage near moated site.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 26 August 2006. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 11 May 2020.

Before 9 July 2007. Metal detecting in two areas.
9 Romano-British, 3 medieval and 1 post medieval coin.
Iron Age/Romano-British, Middle Saxon/Late Saxon, Romano-British, medieval and post medieval metal objects, medieval sherd and 2 post medieval jettons.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 4 October 2007.

Before 14 November and 22 December 2008.
2 Late Saxon coins fused together, 3 medieval coins, Iron Age/Roman terret, Early Saxon brooch, medieval buckle and bell.
See lists in file.
The fused Late Saxon coins were submitted as potential Treasure (Treasure case 2009 T31), declared Treasure at inquest on 21 July 2009 and subsequently acquired by Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2010.16). See Treasure report (slightly amended by Gareth Williams (British Museum)) in file.
A. Rogerson, (NLA), 5 June 2009 and E. Darch, (NLA), 12 June 2009, 23 July 2009 and 11 February 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 28 May 2020.

February- March 2009. Metal detecting
Bronze Age/Iron Age unidentified gold object, Roman harness pendant, Early Saxon brooch, Late Saxon stirrup terminal, medieval brooch (S14), strap fitting, balance, undated ingot and medieval coins.
See list in file.
The unidentified gold object was submitted as potential Treasure (Treasure case 2009 170) and subsequently acquired by Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2010.137).
A. Rogerson, (NLA), 14 July 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 30 May 2020.

Before 12 October 2009 and 20 November 2009. Metal detecting.
28 Roman, 12 medieval and 2 post-medieval coins; Iron Age, Romano-British, Early Saxon, Middle Saxon/Late Saxon (S15), Late Saxon (S16), medieval, post-medieval and undatable metal objects; and 5 post-medieval jettons.
See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 16 May 2010.

Artefacts suggest the possible presence of an Early Saxon cemetery within the extent of the site.
D. Robertson (HES), 30 September 2010.

December 2018-December 2019. Metal-detecting. [2].
The following finds are not recorded on the PAS database:
25 Roman coins.
7 medieval coins.
1 post-medieval coin.
See list in file for NHER 1473.
E. McDonald (HES), 23 November 2020.

Monument Types

  • FINDSPOT (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2350 BC to 42 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • CEMETERY? (Early Saxon - 410 AD? to 650 AD?)
  • FINDSPOT (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
  • CROSS (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • CHURCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • DESERTED SETTLEMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FINDSPOT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FLOOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FONT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HOLLOW WAY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • INHUMATION (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TOMB (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Associated Finds

  • BEAD (Undated)
  • CASTING WASTE (Unknown date)
  • CASTING WASTE (Unknown date)
  • FINGER RING (Undated)
  • INGOT (Unknown date)
  • METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Undated)
  • MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Undated)
  • PERSONAL ORNAMENT (Undated)
  • POT (Undated)
  • WEIGHT (Undated)
  • WHETSTONE (Undated)
  • POT (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
  • AWL (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age - 2350 BC to 42 AD)
  • BROOCH (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • COIN (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • HARNESS (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • POT (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • TOGGLE (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
  • BOW BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BOX (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • CEREMONIAL OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • HAIR PIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • HARNESS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • HARNESS PENDANT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • HARNESS PENDANT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • KNIFE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • LINCH PIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • LOCKING MECHANISM (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • MINIATURE OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • MINIATURE OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • PENDANT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • RING (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • SPEAR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • SPEAR (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • STUD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • TOILET ARTICLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • TOY (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • VEHICLE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • VESSEL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BROOCH (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • GIRDLE HANGER (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • SLEEVE CLASP (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • SPANGLE (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • WEIGHT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • BROOCH (Middle Saxon to Late Saxon - 651 AD to 1065 AD)
  • COIN (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • DRESS COMPONENT (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • DRESS HOOK (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • HOOKED TAG (Middle Saxon to Late Saxon - 651 AD to 1065 AD)
  • PIN (Middle Saxon - 651 AD to 850 AD)
  • BELL (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • BOOK FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • BRIDLE BIT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • BROOCH (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • BROOCH (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • BUTTON (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • COIN HOARD (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • DRESS COMPONENT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • DRESS HOOK (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • FINGER RING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STIRRUP (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STRAP END (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BALANCE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BELL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BOOK FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BOX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BOX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BROOCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BUCKET (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BULL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • CAULDRON (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • CENSER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • CURTAIN FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • DRESS COMPONENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • GRILLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS MOUNT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HARNESS PENDANT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • KEY (LOCKING) (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • KNIFE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • LAMP (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • MIRROR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • NAIL (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PADLOCK (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PERSONAL ORNAMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PILGRIM BADGE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PURSE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • QUERN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • RING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SCABBARD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SCABBARD (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • SPUR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP END (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • THIMBLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TOKEN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TOKEN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TOKEN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WEIGHT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WEIGHT (Medieval to 19th Century - 1066 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WRITING AND DRAWING EQUIPMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • BOOK FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BOX (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BROOCH (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUCKLE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BUTTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • CROTAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • DRESS COMPONENT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • FURNITURE FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • JETTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • JETTON (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • KNIFE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • MOUNT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • MUSKET BALL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • PADLOCK (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • PIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • PURSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • ROWEL SPUR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • SEAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • STRAP FITTING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • TOKEN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • WEIGHT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Protected Status

  • Listed Building
  • SHINE

Sources and further reading

---Unpublished Document: Department for Culture, Media and Sport and British Museum. 2008. Treasure Annual Report 2005/6. p 108; No 338; Fig 338.
---Publication: British Museum. 2011. Treasure Act Annual Report 2009. pp xxii and xliv.
---Aerial Photograph: TF7404 A-E,G-L,P,Q,S-X,AD-AF; TF7504 F,G; TF7605 A.
---Monograph: Bryant, T. H. 1904. Hundred of Clackclose. The Churches of Norfolk. Vol XIII. pp 22-27.
---Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1996. TF 7504H - K.
---Photograph: NLA. Finds Photograph.
---Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 70 NW 10 [2]; TF 70 SW 2 [4].
---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. p 198.
---Photograph: 1998. KSE 5-7, Medieval box/harness mount and two binding strips..
---Photograph: 1991. LBV 19-20, Possible tag/brooch fragment and Two knobs..
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Beachamwell.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Slide: Various. Slide.
---Photograph: CVB13-36, CZW3-9, EDL29-33, CVE1-17, FTE24-29.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
<S1>Monograph: Davison, A. 1988. Six Deserted Villages in Norfolk. East Anglian Archaeology. No 44. p 3-7.
<S2>Monograph: Batcock, N. 1991. The Ruined and Disused Churches of Norfolk. East Anglian Archaeology. No 51. Microfiche 5:G12. No 67; p 52.
<S3>Monograph: Cushion, B. and Davison, A. 2003. Earthworks of Norfolk. East Anglian Archaeology. No 104. p 19.
<S4>Article in Serial: Gaimster, D. R. M., Margeson, S. and Hurley, M.. 1990. Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1989. Medieval Archaeology. Vol XXXIV pp 162-252. p 202.
<S5>Illustration: [Unknown]. 1979. Drawing of a medieval copper alloy annular brooch. Card. 1:1.
<S6>Illustration: [Unknown]. 1979. Drawing of a post-medieval copper alloy sheet folded into a tube. Card. 1:1.
<S7>Illustration: Penn, K. 1986. Drawing of a Late Saxon lead strap end. Film. 2:1.
<S8>Illustration: Penn, K. 1986. Drawing of a Late Saxon lead disc brooch. Film. 2:1.
<S9>Illustration: Penn, K. 1986. Drawing of a Late Saxon copper alloy strap end. Film. 2:1.
<S10>Illustration: White, S. 1990. Drawing of an Iron Age copper alloy La Tene I brooch. Card. 2:1.
<S11>Illustration: Ashley, S. 1990. Drawing of a Roman copper alloy linch pin in the shape of a finger. Film. 1:1.
<S12>Illustration: Rogerson, A. 1994. Sketch of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy awl. Film. 1:1.
<S13>Illustration: Ashley, S. 2000. Drawing of a medieval copper alloy horse harness pendant. Film. 2:1.
<S14>Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2009. Drawing of a medieval copper alloy annular brooch. Find Illustration. Film. 2:1.
<S15>Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2010. Drawing of a Middle/Late Saxon copper alloy hooked tag. Find Illustration. Film. 2:1.
<S16>Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2010. Drawing of a Late Saxon copper alloy book/furniture fitting. Find Illustration. Film. 2:1.
<S17>Article in Serial: Gurney, D (ed.). 1990. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk 1989. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLI Pt I pp 107-112. p 108.

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