NHER 9723 (Building record) - St Peter's Church, Swainsthorpe

November 1959. Listed, Grade II*.
Listing Description Excerpt:
"Parish church. 12th-century west tower. Remainder 14th century. South windows 1443. Restored 1885 when south porch rebuilt. Flint with ashlar dressings and plain tile roofs..."
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
H. Hamilton (HES), 02 June 2023.

August 1977. Aerial reconnaissance.
Flight by Derek Edwards photographed this site.
See Norfolk Air Photo Library image (S9).
H. Hamilton (HES), 02 June 2023.

March 1979. Field Observation.
St Peter's Church. Round tower, called 'probably pre-Conquest' by H.M. Cautley (S6) and 'C' (950-1100)' by Taylor and Taylor (S8), who say it contains Roman tiles; but there is very little, although there is much in the chancel south wall, which could be Roman but could equally well be medieval. In chancel north wall a brick-edged putlog hole and a blocked round-headed window outlined in the same brick. Large flint nave northeast quoins behind later aisle. Norman piscina bowl reset in south porch. Tower has 14th century Decorated octagonal top and west window; battlements of squared flint later still, Perpendicular. According to Pevsner (S7) there is a tall tower arch, unusual on a round tower. North aisle also Decorated style with simple blocked north door, and restored Decorated windows to east. Nave south door ornamented Decorated with headstops. Chancel windows and nave south windows Perpendicular, much restored. South porch formerly two storeyed, now almost totally 19th century.
Interior inaccessible at time of visit; Pevsner (S7) notes arch-braced nave roof on wooden head brackets and with angel figures; poppyhead benches; dado of roodscreen in stalls monument of 1765; chalice and paten, Norwich 1568.
Compiled by E. Rose (NAU), 15 March 1979. Information transcribed from HER Record Card (S4).

Post-March 1979. Documentary Research.
Antiquarian Tom Martin c1740 (S5) noted a 'font on pillars'.
Information from HER Record Card (S4).
E. Rose (NAU).

April 1984. Aerial reconnaissance.
Flight by Derek Edwards photographed this site.
See Norfolk Air Photo Library images (S10).
H. Hamilton (HES), 02 June 2023.

An early 18th-century memorial within the churchyard of St Peter's church was listed Grade II in September 1988. This is now recorded separately as NHER 68888.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 January 2025.

May-July 2005. Field observation and research.
This building was examined by the archaeology officer of the Council for the Care of Churches and a Pastoral Measure report was compiled.
See unpublished report (S12).
A. Rogerson (NLA), 23 March 2006.

May 2006. Field Observation.
Inspection carried out in order to inform an assessment of the archaeological importance of this church as it is under consideration for redundancy under the Pastoral Measure 1983.
Detailed investigation showed that the round tower has Saxo-Norman bell openings below the octagonal belfry. Nave is basically Saxo-Norman with quoins of flint and bricks, either Roman or Norman Great Bricks. Otherwise basically a 14th century church altered in mid-15th century with new windows and around 1500 with belfry, roof and porch. Thorough restoration in 1802. 13th century font, important 17th century brass.
Very fine graveyard but the headstone listed grade II is in fact of 1699 and not 1715 as given.
See unpublished report (S13) and photographs (S14).
See also redundancy report (S15) and correspondence (S16).
E. Rose (NLA), 9 May 2006.

2012. Watching Brief.
Details awaited.
See also (S19).
M. Langham-Lopez (HES), 13 September 2012.

A 15th-century papal bulla previously recorded under this number is now detailed under NHER 58879.
H. Hamilton (HES), 02 June 2023.