NHER 58792 (Monument record) - Ruins of St Michael's Church, Bowthorpe

1984. Inhumations found.

1984-1985. Excavation.
Excavation of church by Norfolk Archaeological Unit.
This revealed three main periods of use and disuse. A small building consisting of a square-ended chancel, nave and round tower was erected above massive infillings and similarly massive footings in the 11th and 12th centuries. The chancel was demolished and replaced by a much larger structure, probably early in the 14th century, and an added north porch to the nave may have been of a similar date. By the 16th century the building was ruinous and open to the sky. Repairs were made to the chancel and probably to the tower in the 1630s, but the nave was either demolished or had already fallen down by this date. The chancel functioned as a chapel into the 18th century but was derelict by 1790.
See published monograph (S1) for further details.
The finds recovered have been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1999.311).
Previously recorded under NHER 5352.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 23 April 2007.

October 2004.
Plans to preserve the ruins of the church.
See newspaper article (S2) for details.
H. White, (NLA), 29 January 2010