| Summary : Felix of Burgundy created a See at Dommoc in circa 630, and during the 630s, Sigebert, King of East Anglia, established a royal palace, the cathedral church of St Felix, and the earliest documented English school. The school was last documented in 1076-1083. In 673, Norfolk was given its own see at Elmham, but the Dommoc See continued until 870, when it was overrun by the Danes. Historically, Dommoc has been associated with Dunwich, but Rigold suggests that this is a mis-identification, and suggests that Walton Castle near Felixstowe (record 391161) is a better candidate for the identification. Most of Dunwich was overwhelmed by the sea by circa 1300-30. |
More information : Felix of Burgundy, first Bishop of the East Saxons was
said to have moved his see from Soham to Dunwich before about
630, where it remained until about 870 when the Danes overran
the district: Norfolk was granted a separate see at Elmham in
673. Sigebert, king of East Anglia built a royal palace and a
cathedral church of St Felix at Dunwich (see map diagram); the
church (and presumably the palace) was overwhelmed by the sea in
1330 (about 1300 in source 2). Sigebert also built a great school
about 631 whose foundation is the earliest recorded in English
history: Bishop Felix provided masters and teachers. The siting
of the school was not stated, but it may "be safely inferred that
the school also was set up in the ecclesiastical capital" (2). A
school at Dunwich was next mentioned between 1076-1083 when it
was granted to Eye Priory, since when there has been no further
mention. (1-4)
Destroyed by coastal erosion. (5)
Rigold, on the basis of inconclusive documentary sources, argues
for placing Dommoc at Walton Castle, Felixstowe (see TM 33 NW 2)
rather than at Dunwich. (6-7)
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