NHER 3131 (Building record) - St Peter's Church, Guestwick

Saxon or Saxo-Norman central tower and traces of nave and apse, with Roman brick, now on north side of church of 14th to 15th century. Good memorials. Unique? wooden coffin slab, 13th century (S15).
See reports ((S1) and (S2)) in file.
E. Rose (NAU), 16 September 1982. Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 31 March 2020.

1982 to 1983. Excavation.
NAU excavations outside and to the north of standing building in advance of drainage works. Only the tower of the late 11th century church still stands. Excavation revealed aisleless nave and apsidal chancel, with tower in between. South transept probably added in 12th century. Nave and chancel were demolished and present church built in medieval period - the late 11th century tower now stands at east end of north aisle of present church. The chancel was internally rendered with whitewashed or painted mortar, and were robbed to foundation level only in some parts of the apse. A floor level which consisted of the upper surface of a truncated buried soil contained no evidence of Saxo-Norman activity.
Burial excavated - grave cut late medieval or post medieval layers and grave fill was sealed by 19th and 20th century rubble. No recent finds in grave fill. Skeleton was twisted, lower part of body was face down, skull was displaced. Cause of death is open to speculation. Medieval and post medieval metalwork. Thetford ware, medieval and post medieval pottery. Nine pieces of struck flint.
See published article (S3) for further details and drawing (S13). See also (S4), (S5) and (S6). The results of this work are also summarised in (S12).
D. Robertson (NLA), 23 January 2006 amended by M. Langham-Lopez (HES), 17 June 2013.

Graffiti in Bridewell Museum.
For coffin lid see (S5) and (S15).
E. Rose (NAU), 19 February 1986. Amended by A. Beckham (HES), 31 March 2020.

Press cuttings (S7) to (S9) in file.

January 2006.
Top stage of tower is 15th century and later. Aisles, nave and clerestory 15th century.
15th century piscina and sedilia, base of 15th century screen, 15th century font.
Information from (S10). See Also (S11).
D. Robertson (NLA), 23 January 2006.

May-September 2014.
This was one of four Norfolk churches included in a pilot study looking at the management of bats in historic churches. This study looked to research and develop management techniques that will allow the protection of heritage in ways that will not cause long-term detrimental impact on local bat populations. This and the other three churches were selected due to the known presence of Natterer's bats.
See report (S14) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 22 August 2019.