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All Saints (ruin), Godwick, Norfolk

Location
(52°45′56″N, 0°49′8″E)
Godwick
TF903224
medieval Norwich
medieval All Saints
  • Toby Huitson
  • Toby Huitson

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Description

Godwick is a deserted medieval village (DMV) in NW Norfolk, sited immediately NE of Tittleshall, about 4.5 miles S of Fakenham. The remains of the W tower of the parish church of All Saints comprise the only remnants visible above ground, although the site of the village is exceptionally well preserved as a series of earthworks. From 1630 the priest was shared with Tittleshall, and the parishes were formally united in the 19thc.

The tower has a complex history. It appears to have been built in the later medieval period, perhaps in the 15thc. Its upper section appears to have collapsed by 1596 on the evidence of a contemporary map, and the building was described as utterly ruined in 1602.

However, the upper section of the tower appears to have been rebuilt around this time in brick and flint with moulded brick windows, incorporating re-set early masonry (See Comments). The tower was probably rebuilt to act as a folly to the now lost Old Hall, and especially for the Great Barn, which directly faces it, built in 1597. The E half of the tower fell during a storm in 1981, leaving the ruined tower as it appears today. The remains have recently been stabilised and incorporate some re-set Romanesque fragments.

History

The village is mentioned in Domesday Book: 'Goduic', with a recorded population of 15 households, was granted to Ralph of Tosny in 1086. The advowson was given to West Acre Priory in 1100.

Comments/Opinions

Some re-set masonry is visible towards the top of the surviving W face of the tower, which it is suggested may well be Romanesque. The fragments are visible end-on and include a colonette section and two roll mouldings; a later medieval window mullion section is also visible to the right. The presence of this masonry would suggest the existence of a multi-phase church partly dating from the Romanesque period, which would accord well with its association with West Acre Priory from 1100.

There is some loose ex-situ masonry at the base of the tower, but nothing visible earlier than the 13thc. Future discoveries may add to our knowledge, specifically as to whether any sculptural details were present.

Bibliography