NHER 1800 (Building record) - St Withburga's Church, Holkham

2005. Site Visit.
Church on large natural mound; possibly a Saxon site given the unique dedication to St Withburga (allegedly her birthplace) and its ownership by West Dereham.

Very much reconstructed in 1868 to 1888 by Colling when it is said a west tower was found which he dated to the Saxon period; also much reused Norman stonework. It may be more probable that the building began as a cruciform Norman church, the west tower was a later addition, replaced in turn by the present south tower which is 13th century with 14th century belfry. Arcades are partly a 13th century scheme to replace the cruciform plan, completed in the 14th century, and extended in the 15th with a south chapel and clerestory. In the late 18th century there was a remodelling in Gothick style supposedly by Wyatt, all of which was removed by Colling.

Internal fittings mostly of 1869, but include some important 17th century memorials by Pook under Nicholas Stone; also the monument by Boehm to Countess Juliana who commissioned the rebuilding. Churchyard with interesting headstones

Unconfirmed local story of tower being used as telegraph station.
See (S1) in file.
E. Rose (NLA), 14 November 2005.

See notes and graveyard survey in file.

2002. Found in molehill in churchyard.
Roman body sherd greyware (weight 4g).
A. Rogerson (NLA), 19 November 2003.

16 March 1999. Bare soil south of church.
3 small sherds of medieval unglazed pottery including early medieval jar rim. Total weight 4g.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 30 March 2004.

(S2) in file.

Internal Fittings:
A World War memorial tablet is located within the church (S3). It is unclear as to whether this relates to World War One or World War Two.
P. Beers (HES), 05 February 2020.