NHER 9942 (Monument record) - Possible site of church of Little Wreningham or Nelonde and deserted medieval settlement

This location is marked as the 'Site of St Mary's Church' on the First Edition six-inch Ordnance Survey map (S5).
Probably the original church of Little Wreningham, which was annexed to Nelonde (see NHER 14458) in 1406.
See Record Cards (S1)-(S3).

1955. Documentary Research.
Research was undertaken to compile a complete a list of deserted villages in Norfolk. An analysis of the economic and geographical conditions during times of desertion was also undertaken, and a suggested chronology for depopulations was put forward.
The site of Little Wreningham is noted as marked on the Ordnance Survey map. It is noted that Blomefield (S4) recorded Little Wreningham being united with Nelonde Church (see NHER 14458) in 1406 and became part of Ashwellthorpe. Nelonde itself was then annexed to Wreningham in 1414 (S4). As such, it has been suggested that the site of Nelonde may not actually be deserted, but the original site of Little Wreningham apparently is (see S7, p 161)
Separately, the village of Nelonde is included in a list of place-names that have been disused or forgotten, but the sites of which are "probably not deserted". Nelonde is noted in the domesday Book and the Nomina Villarum and is believed to be located in Wreningham parish (see S7, p162).
Information from published article (S7).
H. Hamilton (HES), 05 January 2025.

September 1972. Field Observation.
Area inspected by Ordnance Survey staff. It was noted that the area has been cultivated for many years.
A scatter of occupation debris including broken tiles and pot sherds likely of 14th-5th century date was observed.
No evidence suggestive of a chirch or desertion.
Information from Ordnance Survey Record Card (S2).
Amended H. Hamilton (HES), 05 January 2025.

November 1977. Field Observation.
On ploughed surface only a scatter of roof tiles 'presumably medieval' and a few medieval sherds found by A. Rogerson (NAU).
A. Rogerson (NAU), 7 November 1977.

1998. Documentary Research.
Batcock's survey of ruined churches (S8) gives two separate entries for Nelonde and Little Wreningham churches. He takes this site as being Nelonde which he notes as standing in 1154, list of rectors from 1285. Demolished at Reformation.
Site called Old Churchyard in Blomefield's day. Little Wreningham he gives as site unknown; Blomefield (S4) says it became a chapel after the 1406 union and was demolished soon after. Certainly this does seem to indicate there were two churches - presumably on separate sites?
E. Rose (NLA), 18 February 1998.

March 2012. Norfolk NMP.
Assessment of the aerial photographs of this site as part of the NMP project revealed no convincing evidence of the church, or the inferred medieval settlement, at this site. A series of light-coloured linear marks are visible in this general location in July 1946 (S6), however these were considered to be of agricultural origin and not revealing the location of sub-surface masonry.
S. Horlock (NMP), 05 March 2012.