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Record Details

NHER Number:7271
Type of record:Building
Name:St John's Church, Mileham

Summary

This unusual church consists of an aisled nave, an offset northwest tower and a lofty chancel. It is Norman in origin, though possibly on the site of an earlier church, with 13th to 15th century additions, the 14th century tower probably being offset so as not to obscure the particularly fine early 14th century west window, which retains much of its original stained glass, the largest surviving example in Norfolk. Inside, the arcade to the south aisle leans outward alarmingly due to subsidence, but was stabilised in 1981. The interior also has many rare fittings and inscriptions. Two medieval stone coffin lids are set upright, one by the north door and one by the south. The 15th century pulpit sits on a single stem and has traceried panels. The 15th century octagonal font also has traceried panels and its plinth has glazed medieval tiles. In the churchyard is a probably unique medieval cross base, set on a 15th-century tomb chest (NHER 67154).

Images

  • Gravestones in the churchyard of St John's Church, Mileham. © Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service
  • St John's Church, Mileham © Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service

Location

Grid Reference:TF 9220 1957
Map Sheet:TF91NW
Parish:MILEHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

Norman and 13th to 15th centuries. Many rare fittings and inscriptions.
Wooden door suggested as Late Saxon is probably post medieval.
Unique cross in churchyard, scheduled.
See report (S1), photographs (S2) and press cuttings (S3), (S4) and (S5) in file. Correspondence (S6) and (S7) in file. Diocesan Advisory Committee report (S8) in file. Listed Grade I (S9).
E. Rose (NAU), 23 June 1981.

The 15th-century cross in the churchyard was Listed Grade II* in 1984 and Scheduled in 1998. It is now recorded separately as NHER 67154.
P. Watkins (HES), 10 July 2023.

Monument Types

  • CHURCH (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • CHURCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • CHURCH (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

  • COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • DOOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • DOOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FONT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PISCINA (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • Xtile pavement (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Protected Status

  • Listed Building

Sources and further reading

---Aerial Photograph: TF9219A-G.
---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.
---Aerial Photograph: Edwards, D.A. (NLA). 1995. TF9119/AES - AEX.
---Monograph: Bryant, T. H. 1903. Hundred of Launditch. The Churches of Norfolk. pp 149-159.
---Documentary Source: Martin, T. c. 1700-1799. Collections of Church Notes. Norfolk Records Office. Walter Rye Collection. RYE 17..
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Illustration: Ladbrooke. [unknown].
---Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 543-544.
---Monograph: Pevsner, N. 1962. North-West and South Norfolk. The Buildings of England. 1st Edition. p 259; Pl 14b.
---Leaflet: Church of St John the Baptist, Mileham.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Medieval. Mileham.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Slide: Various. Slide.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Middle Saxon. Mileham.
---Photograph: Rose, E. 1981. Historic Environment Service Photography. Film BYH. Site visits by Edwin Rose. Historic Environment Service Film Collection. negatives. black and white. BYH/4-8.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
<S1>Unpublished Document: Rose, E.. 1981. Building Report. Building Report.
<S2>Photograph: Ladbrooke AS3-4, others see photo index.
<S3>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1982-1991. [Articles on the restoration work undertaken at St John's Church, Mileham].
<S4>Newspaper Article: The Fakenham Sun. 1996. Mileham - A village steeped in history. 28 June.
<S5>Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2000. 14th century beauty sees light of day. 29 November.
<S6>Correspondence: Hewett, C.. 1984. Letter to E. Rose, NAU.. 11 November.
<S7>Correspondence: Butler-Stoney, R.. 1996. Letter to P. Wade-Martins. 15 January.
<S8>Unpublished Document: Butler-Stoney, R.. 1995. Norwich Diocesan Advisory Committee. Report on a visit to a parish.. 12 September.
<S9>Designation: Historic England. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1342490.

Related records

67154Parent of: Medieval cross in churchyard of St John the Baptist's Church, Mileham (Structure)

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