Nowton occurs in the will of Theodred, Bishop of London (942 x c.951) as a bequest to St Edmund's church, Bury. According to the Domesday Survey it was held by St Edmundsbury abbey as a manor both before the Conquest and in 1086. It consisted of 4 carucates of ploughland, 4 acres of meadow and woodland for 5 pigs. There was a mill and a church with 8 acres of free land.
St Edmund Way benefice, i.e. Bradfield Combust, Great Whelnetham, Hawstead, Lawshall, Nowton and Stanningfield.