Overview

This work takes a fresh look at the evidence for early church building in Norfolk, focusing particularly on how locally available stone and the materials from ruined Roman buildings were reused in Norfolk's first stone churches. The author first identifies the stones and Roman materials used in early church buildings before limestone ashlar was readily available. A section reviews survey results from more than 650 churches in the county. Finally, the author presents an illustrated catalogue of the study sites which will serve as a foundational reference for any researcher interested in Norfolk's ecclesiastical and architectural history. As a result, Wade-Martins revolutionises our understanding of early church buildings in the county, identifying many early buildings which were not previously recognised.

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter Wade-Martins
Publisher:   BAR Publishing
Imprint:   BAR Publishing
ISBN:  

9781407361390

ISBN 10:   1407361392
Pages:   168
Publication Date:   29 April 2024
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
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Table of Contents

List of figures Abbreviations Abstract Acknowledgements 1. Introduction Project aims The recent architectural literature The study of early stonework in Norfolk churches The range of materials in early stone churches Locally quarried stone Bedrock Dersingham Formation The Carstone Formation Hunstanton Formation Superficial deposits Iron-bound or ferruginously-cemented gravels and sands known as conglomerate, breccia, ferricrete, puddingstone or ironpan Grey quartzite or Silver Carr Imported stone Limestone ashlar Reused lava querns from the Rhineland Unidentified material The reuse of Roman building materials Grey (Leziate) quartzite (or Silver Carr) Castle Rising area: recycling the materials from Roman villas The later use of grey quartzite near Castle Rising Brancaster area Reedham area Millstone Grit from the crags of the east Pennines Roman tiles The North Elmham Park Roman tile collection Unidentified material 2. Survey outcomes Locating the sources of ferruginous conglomerate High status churches with considerable use of conglomerate Conglomerate blocks forming partial or complete sets of quoins in towers, naves and chancels (sometimes interspersed with limestone ashlar, Roman tiles or flints) Possible early lost chancel corners Conglomerate tower arches Round towers with conglomerate West-facing doorways in west towers (but not necessarily using conglomerate in the doorways) Conglomerate doorways Possible blocked doorways indicated by disrupted coursing in stonework (with or without conglomerate) Windows formed only with conglomerate Double-splayed windows with conglomerate, Roman tiles or grey quartzite Belfry windows mainly with conglomerate: Decorative strip-work around belfry windows Sandy ferruginous stone carved into cylinders External stair turret of conglomerate Circular belfry sound holes in a variety of materials Quarter-round pilasters with conglomerate or Roman tiles Rectangular pilasters between towers and west nave walls Conglomerate relieving arches for possible crypts The reuse of Roman tiles Roman tiles in towers, walls, arches, windows and doorways Opus signinum associated with Roman tiles Grey quartzite High status churches with grey quartzite: Reuse of Roman grey quartzite Other churches with grey quartzite of medieval or later origin A note on window lighting in early churches 3. Site Catalogue Bibliography Index

Reviews

'This is a milestone piece of work which should advance East Anglian church studies considerably and prove to be of lasting value.' Dr Andrew Rogerson FSA 'A pioneering study of the types and sources of stone used in the construction of churches in the 11th and 12th centuries in East Anglia. based on personal inspection of all 640 surviving medieval churches (including those that are ruinous): that is an impressive achievement.' Professor Warwick Rodwell, OBE, Consultant Archaeologist to Westminster Abbey 'I wish I had had access to this work when I was researching the ruined and disused churches (Batcock 1991). It also covers wider historical questions - for example, the relationship of medieval buildings to the earlier Roman landscape.' Neil Batcock

Author Information

Peter Wade-Martins has spent his working life as an archaeologist in Norfolk. His PhD was a fieldwalking project to understand early settlement patterns in relation to isolated churches and village greens in central Norfolk. He was County Archaeologist from 1973 to 1999, building up the county's field archaeology service. As the first Director of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust from 1999 to 2014, he negotiated the acquisition of sites like the Roman 'Saxon Shore' fort at Burgh Castle, most of the Roman regional capital at Caistor and St Benet's Abbey in the Broads. His autobiography A Life in Norfolk's Archaeology 1950-2016: Archaeology in an Arable Landscape was published in 2017 (Archaeopress).

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