NHER 5282 (Building record) - St Margaret's Church or St Mary's Church, Norton Subcourse

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Summary

This parish church comprises a combined nave and chancel as well as a west tower. The flint built tower dates to the Saxo-Norman period and dominates the body of the church which is later in date, being mostly from the 14th century. The tiled roof is a replacement but many original features survive including the Decorated style east window and the carved stone headstops that adorn the top of all the windows. Much of the stained glass is original and dates to the 14th century. Inside is a fine 13th century octagonal font carved from Purbeck marble and impressive double piscina. The royal arms of George IV can be seen on the west wall. There is evidence to suggest that this church has connections with the college of priests at nearby Raveningham and this may explain why a church of this scale serves a relatively small parish.

Protected Status/Designation

Location

Map sheet TM49NW
Civil Parish NORTON SUBCOURSE, SOUTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

Round tower, of Saxo-Norman date, along with portions of west nave wall. Long nave and chancel in one, all of about 1340 slightly to the south of lines of walls of earlier church; alterations to tower same date. Very ornate and high quality chancel windows, sedilia, piscina. Virtually no later work except small repairs. Many niches and tomb recess. Purbeck marble font. Raveningham group of parishes, care of Hales rectory.
See report (S1)and photos (S2-S4) in file.
E. Rose (NAU) 28 February 1986.

Further restoration in 1998 suggests tower has Norman windows possibly in older core and revealed a find post medieval roof.
See further report.
E. Rose (NLA) 22 October 1998.

See (S5).

  • --- Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
  • --- Monograph: Hart, S.. 2010. Medieval Church Window Tracery in England. pp 68, 87, 119.
  • --- Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 577.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1996. Ceiling fall risk closes parish church. 5 February.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Late Saxon. Norton Subcourse.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • --- Slide: Various. Slide.
  • <S1> Unpublished Document: Rose, E. (NAU). 1986. Building Report.. Building Report.
  • <S2> Photograph: JHB 2-5.
  • <S3> Aerial Photograph: TM4098B-C.
  • <S4> Photograph: CVS 28-33.
  • <S5> Publication: Jeffery, P.. 2004. The Collegiate Churches of England and Wales.. p 234.
  • DOOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • FONT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • PISCINA (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Jan 28 2025 2:46PM

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