More information : (TL 828178) St. Mary & All Saints Church (NAT) (1)
Evidence of early Anglo Saxon occupation was found during the excavation of the Roman Villa (TL 81 NW 5) in 1971-2. Jutish pottery and glass dated to the first half of the 5th century was found on the floor of the aisled barn, in a pit cut through the floor and in a shallow pit to the west, possibly a well. Trenches were found outside the east end of the church possibly representing a timber church with related burials, of date falling between the Roman building and the first masonry church, the latter being late Saxon. This was dated architecturally and archaeologically, the north and south walls of the chancel and nave still standing to a height of six metres built of Roman material. The church was altered in the 11th/12th, 14th and 15th centuries, the tower being added in the 15th/16th century (see illustration from authority 3). A Saxon cemetery was found in the north east corner of the churchyard. (2-4)
Situated high up in the N and S walls of the chancel are two tall, deeply splayed windows possibly of late Saxon date. See photographs. The church is in normal use. (5)
Parish church of St. Mary and All Saints (formerly listed under Rivenhall). Largely 14th-15th century, extensively altered in 1838-9. (6)
Additional references (7-8)
Excavation and feildwork around the church in 1971-3 included a detailed examination of the church fabric following removal of some of the rendering. This demonstrated the probably pre-Conquest origin of the masonry church. Excavation suggested a timber predecessor and also uncovered burials of Saxon and medieval date. The excavations argued for continuity of occupation from Roman villa (TL 81 NW 5) through to medieval church and grave yard. (9)
However, these claims have been subject to some criticism. (10)
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