Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

St Withburgas Nunnery And Holy Well
Hob Uid: 358813
Location : Norfolk Breckland Dereham
Grid Ref : TF9864013300
Summary : Middle Saxon nunnery and probable minster founded before AD742. It was destroyed by the Danes in 870. A Holy Well reputed to be associated with the nunnery is all that survives.
More information : TF 98651330. St Withburga's Well (NR) (1) A nunnery and church founded by St Withburga, died 742 AD, stood on the site of the present St Nicholas's Church, East Dereham. A holy well, with reputed healing properties, is situated at the site of St Withburga's tomb and chapel, in the church-yard west of St Nicholas's Church. The nunnery and original church was destroyed by the Danes about AD 870. The present church is Norman and later. (2-4) St Withburga's Well, no longer in use, is surrounded by a modern fence. See ground photographs and church guide (in pamphlet box). There are no extant remains of the nunnery, or of the "chapel over the well". 1:2500 published survey 1976 correct. (5)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 1:2500 1976
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Holy Wells of Eng 1893 93 (R C Hope)
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Description of Norf 1808 264 (J Britton & E W Brayley)
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Source Number : 4
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Page(s) : 472
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 FDC 03-OCT-78
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Source Number : 6
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Page(s) : 143-154
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Early Medieval
Display Date : Founded before 742. Destroyed 870
Monument End Date : 870
Monument Start Date : 742
Monument Type : Nunnery, Minster
Evidence : Documentary Evidence, Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Holy Well
Evidence : Structure

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Norfolk)
External Cross Reference Number : 2890
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TF 91 SE 13
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1978-10-03
End Date : 1978-10-03

Associated Activities :
Activity type : DESK BASED ASSESSMENT
Start Date : 2002-01-01
End Date : 2002-12-31

Historic England Research Records

St Withburgas Nunnery And Holy Well