NHER 599 (Monument record) - Site of St Nicholas' Church, Bracondale

Site of St Nicholas' Church, Bracondale

This church, mentioned in Domesday Book, was built by Coleburn the priest in the time of William I and endowed with 20 acres of land (S1). According to Blomefield (S2) the advowson initially belonged to the crown, before being "..purchased by Bishop Eborard of King Stephen and by him settled on the convent’s infirmary; and afterwards it was appropriated by the celerer of the monastery, and being in the liberty of the Prior, was exempt from archidiaconal jurisdiction". See also (S3). Norwich Cathedral Priory records such as the rolls of the infirmerer and the refector (S4) make various references to income from this church and its land, as well as responsibilities for its upkeep. It is clear that the chief value of St Nicholas' church to the refector was its attached land, which was managed in conjunction with that belonging to St Etheldreda. The Chamberlain's roll for 1393 shows that he had assumed responsibility for the church and estate at Bracondale. It appears that during the 15th century the status of St Nicholas had become that of a chapel - Blomefield records that it was being taxed as such in 1428.

Blomefield notes that the church was placed "..on the hill…" and had a large churchyard. Apparently it was "…much frequented by fishermen and watermen, who used to come hither to offer to good St. Nicholas, their patron saint…".

The church appears to have been demolished during the 16th century, presumably around the time of the dissolution (S5). Although no trace of this building survives, the place where it stood was apparently still known in Blomefield’s time. According to (S6) it was situated "…at the corner of the road now leading to Carrow Bridge".

The basis for the mapped location of this church is not entirely clear and should be treated with a degree of caution. It should be noted that a report detailing the history of the now demolished Hill House (formerly 56 Bracondale) (S7) suggests that this site on the south side of Bracondale (TG 237 074) was partially occupied by St Nicholas chapel.

P. Watkins (HES) January 2013. Amended 10 November 2015.