More information : (TF 75050534) St Mary's Church (NAT) (1)
The church consists of a round, late Saxon, west tower (later surmounted by a 14th century octagonal belfry) and a rectangular nave and chancel forming one structural unit, with a 15th century south aisle. The only Anglo Saxon features of the nave and chancel are a complete quoin in long and short technique at the NW angle, and rather dubious traces of similar work at the eastern angles. Fabric refashioned in the 14th and 15th centuries. (2-4)
Obvious Anglo Saxon remains are the tower and the NW quoin; see photo.
The original church was much shorter and its former length is betrayed by a two bay Decorated arcade, a change in roofline and a former clasping buttress in the S wall. The E end is therefore later and cannot contain Anglo Saxon detail. (5)
Church of St Mary. Medieval and later. Late C11 circular western tower with an off-set at first floor level. Grade I. (See DoE list for details). (6)
Index to Beachamwell St Mary's Church. (7)
Additional references. (8,9)
Hart argues that the tower is likely to be of the Saxo-Norman overlap rather than the late saxon period on the grounds that limestone is used for the nave quoins and the openings of the two-light through-stone belfry openings. However, these are are Barnack stone rather than caen and it is feasible that this appeared earlier in East Anglia than the late 11th century. (10) |