NHER 6415 (Monument record) - Possible site of Saxon church, Methwold

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.