Record Details
| NHER Number: | 6415 |
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| Type of record: | Monument |
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| Name: | Possible site of Saxon church, Methwold |
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Summary
Reports suggest the remains of a Saxon church were discovered here in 1888. The exact details of the discovery are garbled, however, and another account suggests that the foundations of a post Norman conquest chancel and nave and Perpendicular style capital bases were recovered from underneath the remains of a 'Stuart mansion'. Excavations here in the 1980s recovered pieces of pot that suggest there was activity on the site from the 12th to the 13th century.
Images - none
Location
| Grid Reference: | TL 730 946 |
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| Map Sheet: | TL79SW |
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| Parish: | METHWOLD, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK |
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Full description
1888. 'Opposite the school in The Buntings'.
Remains of original Saxon church found.
Information from (S1).
Note the location is by no means certain, but worked out from the position of the school and Buntings Lane. (S2) however states the remains were post-conquest, and consisted of entire foundations of chancel and 'the plan of the nave'. Perpendicular (15th century) capitals found suggested it existed until the later church was built. The remains were found under a Stuart mansion.
26 September 1983.
Bungalow constructed on north side road, see (S3) in file. Footings newly dug and soil spread examined. Natural chalk at 0.6m to 1.0m. Probably a number of features dug into chalk, but conditions far too dry.
Finds from spoil (context 1):
Two strap handles with incised decoration with prolific calcitic inclusions including 'software' glazed.
One glazed bodysherd same fabric.
One bodysherd unglazed similar fabric.
Four bodysherds medieval unglazed.
One rim Grimston-Thetford storage jar.
One rim glazed red earthenware.
The amount of pottery despite poor soil conditions suggests 12th to 13th century activity. Many animal bones not collected. No sign of masonry footings. Informant reports hitting with plough a wall? running north to south along boundary of close to west.
See (S3).
Visit by A. Rogerson (NAU) and S. Ashley (NAU).
A. Rogerson (NAU).
11 October 1983. Site revisited by S. Ashley (NAU).
In equally poor conditions and poor light.
One jar rim Thetford type ware.
One bodysherd probably medieval unglazed.
One bodysherd reduced unidentified.
A. Rogerson (NAU), October 1983.
All the 1983 find are in NCM. One sherd (in NCM) reidentified as Roman greyware.
A. Rogerson (NAU), 11 December 1989.
Monument Types
- WALL (Unknown date)
- CHURCH (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
- CHURCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- GREAT HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Associated Finds
- ANIMAL REMAINS (Undated)
- POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- POT (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
- ARCHITECTURAL FRAGMENT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- POT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status - none
Sources and further reading
| --- | Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 79 SW 15. |
| --- | 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 - Late Saxon. Methwold. |
| --- | Secondary File: Secondary File. |
| <S1> | Monograph: Bryant, T. H. 1900. Hundred of Grimshoe. The Churches of Norfolk. p 179. |
| <S2> | Monograph: Gedge, J.D.. 1893. History of a Village Community in the Eastern Counties.. 2. |
| <S3> | Illustration: Various. Various. Architectural plans. |
Related records - none
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