NHER 9631 (Building record) - St Mary's church, Shotesham

Oldest part remaining is south doorway dating to around 1200.
(S1) dates chancel to late 13th century on basis of three-cusped-lancet-light east window. North chapel built 1486. But vicar claims chancel also of this date, and indeed chapel east window is exactly the same as chancel east and south windows! Either chancel north window was reset in chapel east wall, or windows are simple local imitations (tracery does not appear to have been renewed). Similar tracery now standing in north chapel - where from? Chancel built of flint with reused tile; has two blank pointed arches on south, one containing window is lowered to form sedilia: piscina here surrounded by decorated bricks. Other arch has blocked window now containing 19th century memorials. On north similar arches lead to chapel. Double brass on floor of 1528 and 17th century tomb. 19th century stone reredos. Archbraced roof with old lamp chains. North chapel has door to north and two blocked windows. East window contains old stained glass. Carved beams at top of walls.
Nave is brick in part. Single braced roof (Perpendicular?) with sanctus bell on chancel arch. North door blocked, irregular, contains old carved fragments. Windows 19th century. In chancel arch is staple for rood cross. Nave contains old clock bell of 1675, reading desk made from 17th century altar rails, royal arms William IV 1834, octagonal figured font, old chest. Tower Perpendicular, of brick, flint, and ironstone, with niche. South porch brick; south door medieval with spyhole grating and decorated doorplate; traces of brackets above. Piscina in porch; hole in pillar for bar to keep out sheep. Chalice and paten 1713.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU) 24 April 1976.

Dr S. Cotton notes a bequest to the tower in 1534.

See NHER 5391 for remarkable west churchyard wall.

(S3) states that the sanctus bell has Cyrllic script and is said locally to have been brought back from Sebastopol (a battle in the Crimean War).
E. Rose (NLA) 31 August 2004.

September 2007.
Emergency visit at time of demolition of boiler house on exterior of blocked north nave door. Due to wet concrete works could only be seen from a distance. The doorway has a hoodmould. The buttresses to either side, of medieval or early post medieval brickwork, stand on massive flint foundations. Below the door was a patch of 19th century brickwork but in the small space west of this was visible what appeared to be stripy ground foundations – layers of stone rubble alternating with greenish pebbly soil.
E. Rose (NLA), 26 September 2007.