NHER 1582 (Building record) - St Mary's Church, Snettisham

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Summary

The majority of this large cruciform church dates to around 1370, although the transept walls incorporate earlier work of around 1300. The church is a well-known example of the Decorated style of architecture. Most of the church is in this style although rebuilding of the north transept occurred in 1597, and it is around that time that the chancel was demolished. The bowl of the font dates to the 14th or 15th century and the eagle lectern (which was found in the churchyard) is Early Tudor. There is a very rare example of a 13th century sanctus bell on display in the nave.

Protected Status/Designation

Location

Map sheet	TF63SE
Civil Parish	SNETTISHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

One of the finest Decorated style churches in Norfolk, though the chancel was demolished around 1600. Cruciform with spire, all of around 1370, however the transept walls incorporate work of around 1300. North transept rebuilt 1597 with inscription. Important assemblage of brasses and memorials. Good hatchments. Eagle lectern, 15th century, found in churchyard as were two Bawsey tiles now in church. Piece of slag built into wall.
Neolithic hammerstone kept in vestry.
See secondary file for further details.
Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), 13 November 1992.

This is one of the sixty five Norfolk churches selected for (S1).
D. Gurney (NLA), 17 February 2006.

Visit. November 2013
Ledger slabs and important brass moved from the nave to the west end of church as recorded on carved inscriptions on the ledgers. 19th century. Proposal for storage of chairs and kitchen in these areas.
S.Heywood (HES) 26 November 2013

Associated Sources (21)

--- SNF11530 Aerial Photograph: TF6834B,F,K,M,R.
--- SNF2637 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.
--- SNF97838 Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
--- SNF99427 Designation: English Heritage. 1990-2013. English Heritage Listing Notification. Notification. DNF3827.
--- SNF77064 Leaflet: St. Mary's, Snettisham.. The Witley Press Ltd., Hunstanton.
--- SNF4947 Map: Bryant, A.. 1826. Bryant's Map of Norfolk.
--- SNF80988 Monograph: Hart, S.. 2010. Medieval Church Window Tracery in England. pp 16, 95, 97, 101, 104, 108.
--- SNF7576 Monograph: Pevsner, N and Wilson, B. 1999. Norfolk 2: North-West and South. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. pp 654-655; Pl 22.
--- SNF7580 Monograph: Pevsner, N. 1962. North-West and South Norfolk. The Buildings of England. 1st Edition. pp 316-317; Pl 9.
--- SNF94400 Newspaper Article: Dereham and Fakenham Times. 1975. £6000 restoration. 7 February.
--- SNF94399 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1975. Up above Snettisham £6000 work. 29 January.
--- SNF89242 Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2013. Heritage centre will tell story of village's history. 6 May.
--- SNF94401 Newspaper Article: Lynn News. 1999. [Article with accompanying photo of St Mary's Church, Snettisham, undergoing restorations after the attack in January 1915]. 31 August.
--- SNF9654 Photograph: EGL26; FWV 16-22.
--- SNF102953 Photograph: Rogerson, A. 1978. Historic Environment Service Photography. Film FWV. Site Visit by A. Rogerson 1978. Historic Environment Service Film Collection. FWV/16-22.
--- SNF60110 Photograph: Rose, E. 1992. Historic Environment Service Photography. Film FWV. Site Visits by E. Rose 1992. Historic Environment Service Film Collection. FWV/16-22.
--- SNF100518 Publication: [Unknown]. [unknown]. Palimpsests Behind 'Norfolk' Brasses (N).
--- SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
--- SNF97548 Website: Knott, S.. 2006. 498: St Mary, Snettisham. http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/snettisham/snettisham.htm. 24 November 2006.
<S1> SNF62471 Publication: Jenkins, S. 2000. England's Thousand Best Churches.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (1)

CHURCH (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)

Object Types (15)

HAMMERSTONE (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)
METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Undated)
BRASS (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
COFFIN (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
DOOR (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FLOOR TILE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FONT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
FURNITURE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
WINDOW (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
Xbell frame (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
DOOR (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
WINDOW (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Xtile pavement (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

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Record last edited

Mar 19 2025 4:46PM