Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at St. Mary s Church, Watton, Norfolk NHER 8795 Prepared for: Watton Parochial Church Council c/o St. Mary's Church Watton, Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6DQ Reference No. CB269R Chris Birks May 2012 All rights reserved
Contents Section Page Summary 1 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Project Background 2 3.0 Archaeological and Historical Background 2, 3 4.0 Geology and Topography 3 5.0 Photographic Record 4-11 6.0 Archaeological Monitoring 11-16 7.0 Conclusions 16, 17 Acknowledgements Bibliography Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Photographic Register Context Register OASIS Record Figure 1 Figure 2 Site Location Site Plan
Summary An archaeological watching brief was undertaken at St Mary s Parish Church, Watton, Norfolk (NHER 8795) between 22 September and 01 November 2011. Excavations revealed a crypt within the chancel and a grave was present in the south aisle. A deposit of human skeletal remains was present within the north aisle at the new location of the font beneath the existing floor surface. Remains of probable foundation trenches were observed between the pillars of the north and south arcade. A brick-infilled stone window opening was observed in the east wall of the chancel and may date to its construction during the 13 th century. 1.0 Introduction 1.1 An Archaeological Watching Brief was carried out during internal refurbishment and improvements at St Mary s Parish Church, Watton, Norfolk (Grid refs. TF 92135 00941) and was requested by Norfolk Landscape Archaeology (now the Norfolk County Council Historic Environment Service). 1.2 Norfolk Historic & Environment Record 8795; Online Access to the Index of Archaeological Investigations (OASIS) ID: chrisbir1-148442 1.3 This report, CB269R, details how Chris Birks undertook these works and summarises the results. Figure 1 Site Location Hunstanton Holt Cromer Aylsham King s Lynn Dereham Swafham Norwich Great Yarmouth Watton Attleborough Thetford Diss Not to Scale St Mary s Church Scale 1:25000 1
2.0 Project Background 2.1 A proposal for improvements at St Mary s Church, Watton requiring the partial excavation of the church floor was made and Norfolk Landscape Archaeology requested a Programme of Archaeological Work. An Archaeological Watching Brief (constant attendance) was required to determine the presence/absence, date, and extent, state of preservation and significance of any archaeological layers or subsoil archaeological features. A photographic record of specific features was also required. 2.2 This archaeological watching brief was undertaken in accordance with a Brief issued by Norfolk Landscape Archaeology (reference CNF42395, Ken Hamilton, 14 July 2010) and a generic Project Design for Watching Briefs by Chris Birks (Birks 2004). Full details of research aims, methodology and standards are provided in the Project Design. 2.3 The site archive will be held by the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service, in accordance with the relevant policy on archiving standards. An OASIS record has been raised reference number chrisbir1-148442. 3.0 Archaeological and Historical Background 3.1 A great many entries exist in the Norfolk Historic and Environment Record (NHER) for Watton and the surrounding area and only those within the immediate vicinity of the site are described in this report. Full details of these and all other entries can be seen at the NHER office based at Gressenhall, near Dereham, by prior appointment or online at www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk. 3.2 Watton derives its name from the old English Wadeton or town by the ford (Rye 1991). At the time of the Norman conquest Watton had two manors with the head manor being held by a freewoman Aldred. William the Conqueror granted the manor to Ralf FitzWalter during whose tenure the church and a third of the town was given to the Prior of the Monks of Thetford. 3.3 The church (NHER 8795, Plate 1), which stands close to the site of the old Manor house according to Blomefield (1805), was originally dedicated to St Giles, being re-dedicated in the reign of Henry VI to St. Mary. Blomefield (1805) provides the following description of the building and its fabric: "The church is very small, which shows that the town is increased since its foundation; it is only 20 yards long, and including the two isles, 11 yards broad the steeple is round at bottom and octangular at top, having three large bells in it, on the first is this inscription, O. VIR[G]O. VIR[G]INU[M] ORA. PRO. NOBIS. AD. DO[M]INU[M]. The north porch, two (a)isles and nave are leaded, the chancel being tiled; the remains of a curious crucifix carved in stone on the front of the north porch may still be seen." 3.4 A marble tablet erected within the church is inscribed with the following: "This church was enlarged in the year 1840: by which means two hundred and twenty additional sittings were obtained... 3.5 The west tower is dated to the 12 th century with a later medieval octagonal bell stage being added. A spire once existed on the tower and was recorded as becoming unstable and taken down by 1878. The arcades date to the 13 th century to the south and 15 th century to the north and the chancel is dated to the 13 th century. The church was greatly enlarged and altered in the Victorian period with the addition of two massive aisles to the north and south, as previously attested to, and a painted ceiling was installed in the chancel in 1887 to a local artist s design (Plate 2). 2
Plate 1. St Mary s Church, looking northeast Plate 2. The chancel ceiling 3.6 A pencil drawing by Ladbrooke (unprovenanced) shows the church around 1826 depicted from the north showing the north aisle and porch with short but robust buttresses. 4.0 Geology and Topography 4.1 The parish of Watton lies upon a solid geology of Upper Chalk (Funnell 2005) with overlying boulder clays to the north of the parish; stiff grey clay with chalk stones throughout, the impermeable subsoil supports a perched water table. (Funnell 1994). 4.2 The soil landscape of Watton is that of the Boulder-clay Plateau, the topsoil texture being directly related to the depth of the coversand. The most common soil being a gley with sandy clay loam topsoil (Corbett and Dent 1994). This becomes the brown sands typical of the Breckland district in the south of the parish. 3
5.0 Photographic Record 5.1 A photographic record of specific features was requested by Norfolk Landscape Archaeology and was made during a visit on 22 September 2011. Plates in the report relate to photograph numbers and a summary of the Photographic Record is provided in Appendix 1. Work had commenced prior to arranging a visit by the archaeological contractor and a number of photographs have been kindly provided by architect Denis Tuttle for inclusion in this report. 5.1.1 Pews and platforms were arranged facing east in the nave and extended into the north and south aisles with a central passageway between. Plate 3. Pews, looking west Plate 4. Pews, looking northwest 4
Plate 5. Pews and platforms, looking southwest Plate 6. Pews and platforms, looking northwest 5
Plate 7. Pews and platforms, looking northeast Plate 8. Pews and platforms, looking south 6
5.1.2 The chancel stalls were removed prior to arrangements for the archaeological contractor to visit and it was therefore not possible to photograph them prior to their removal. Photographs of the chancel were taken prior to the setting back of the 2 nd chancel step east of the organ arch. Plate 9. Chancel, looking east Plate 10. Chancel step, looking east Scale is 2m Scale is 2m 7
Plate 11. Chancel, looking west Scale is 2m 5.1.3 The 19 th century chancel screen lay at the west end of the chancel. Plate 12. Chancel screen in situ, looking east 8
Plate 13. Chancel screen detail, following removal 5.1.4 The pulpit lay to the west of the chancel, closest to the north aisle. Plate 14. Pulpit, looking northeast Plate 15. Pulpit, looking southeast 9
5.1.5 The font was relocated from the southwest of the nave to the east side of the north aisle. Plate 16. The font, looking approximately south Plate 17. The font, looking northwest Plate 18. The font, looking from above 10
5.1.6 The lecturn and step lay on the south side of the entrance to the chancel and were removed. Plate 19. Lecturn, looking southeast 6.0 Archaeological Monitoring 6.1 Monitoring was carried out between 17 th October and 1st November 2011 during excavations within the church interior (Fig. 2). Context numbers were assigned during fieldwork and are summarised in Appendix 2. 6.2 Site conditions were good and access was gained from Church Lane. The weather was overcast but mild. 6.3 The floor in the chancel was excavated to a depth of 0.3m beneath present floor level removing 0.23m of lime mortar rubble and occasional red brick rubble [1] that overlay a dark greyish brown silty clay loam [2] with frequent chalk flecks, the full extent of which was not reached. 6.4 Centrally located within the chancel, a vaulted brick structure [3] was present extending from beneath the altar and measured 2.62m long by 1.6m wide (Plate 20). A barrelvaulted and brick-lined chamber was evident beneath the kerbstone of the altar and formed an entrance to crypt [4] at the east end of the chancel (Plate 21). It measured 2.35m by 1.9m and 1.1m deep beneath the base of the entrance channel. The crypt contained a number of lead coffins, some had collapsed, and the remains of a wooden coffin though only the lid and coffin plate survive. Eight coffins were observed including a child on the south side of the crypt. The coffin plate of the uppermost central burial was inscribed as containing Elizabeth Barker buried in 1813. 11
Plate 20. Entrance structure [3] leading to crypt [4], looking east Plate 21. Crypt [4], looking east Scale in 1cm increments 6.5 The floor in the north aisle was excavated to a depth of 0.36m depth beneath the present floor level. Initially, 0.22m of limecrete overlying a crushed lime mortar base [5] was removed that overlay dark greyish brown silty clay loam [6] with occasional chalk flecks and rare small to medium sized rounded flints, the full extent of which was not reached. 6.6 The excavated area was enclosed to the east and west by concrete-lined ducts containing hessian-lagged iron pipes running north-to-south that crossed the nave and south aisle. Between the arcading, cut [7] was recorded orientated east-to-west in between the pillar bases. It measured c. 0.5m wide and extended the full length of the excavated area 12
between the nave and the north aisle. The fill [8] comprised dark brownish yellow silty sand with flecks of chalk and medium to large sized rounded flints. 6.7 The floor in the nave was excavated to a depth of 0.35m beneath the existing floor level. Initially, 0.22m of limecrete overlying a crushed lime mortar [9] base was removed that overlay a dark greyish brown silty clay loam [10] with occasional chalk flecks and rare small to medium sized rounded flints, the full extent of which was not reached. Sixteen fragments of disarticulated human bone remains were recovered during excavations. 6.8 A small cast iron boiler was present at the west end of the nave enclosed within a bricklined structure that extended from the west door of the church, 3.87m east from the ductwork at the west end of the nave. A chalk filled-cut [11] was recorded at the east end of the nave aisle that measured 1.3m long by 1.1m wide at a location approximate to three ledger stones that were lifted from the nave floor. The cut was not investigated as it extended beyond the limits of the required excavation. 6.9 Immediately to the north of the two south pillars in the arcade, two voids [12] and [13] were exposed that extended beneath the limits of the excavation. They were irregular in shape and measured a maximum 1.3m by 0.4m. Dark greyish brown silty clay loam [14] into which the voids cut was removed to a depth of c. 0.2m and the voids were backfilled. 6.10 The floor in the south aisle was excavated to a depth of 0.35m beneath the existing floor level. Initially, 0.22m of limecrete overlying a crushed lime mortar [15] base was removed that overlay dark greyish brown silty clay loam [16] with occasional chalk flecks and rare small to medium sized rounded flints, the full extent of which was not reached. Five fragments of disarticulated human bone were recovered during the excavations. 6.11 The partially articulated remains of a human burial [17] were present in the south aisle. A cut was not discernible from the surrounding deposit [16] and it had been truncated above the pelvis (Plate 22, Fig. 2). The burial was orientated west-to-east and was located in the south-western corner of the excavated area (Fig. 2). The burial was recorded in situ then lifted for reburial with bone remains recovered during excavations. 6.12 The location for the new font measured 1.8m by 1.8m and was excavated to a depth of 0.3m from present floor level. Initially, 0.22m of limecrete was removed that overlay crushed lime mortar rubble [18] that contained approximately 180 fragments of disarticulated human bone remains. They were collected for reburial. Plate 22. Burial [17], looking west 6.13 Works on the exterior of the church revealed a brick-infilled stone window opening in the chancel east wall (Plates 23 to 29). It may have Scale is 1m contained at least one mullion (vertical separation) based on the presence of a fragment of tracery on the north side of the 13
window (Plate 28). A fragment of carved stone appears to have been incorporated into the fabric of the wall to the north of the blocked window, possibly as part of a repair to the wall (Plate 29). It has been left to show as a feature during the current improvement works (Plate 30). Plate 23. Infilled window, lower section looking northwest Plate 24. Infilled window, upper section, looking northwest Plate 25. Infilled window, upper central section, looking west 14
Plate 26. Infilled window, lower north section, looking southwest Plate 27. Infilled window, upper section, north side, looking northwest Plate 28. Stone tracery of infilled window, looking approximately west 15
Plate 29. Carved stone fragment in fabric of chancel east wall, looking west Plate 30. St Mary s Church following improvement works, looking northwest 7.0 Conclusions 7.1 Monitoring during excavations in St Mary's church identified a disturbed partially articulated burial in the south aisle. Later intrusions, no doubt including works since the 1840s in particular the installation of earlier heating systems, are likely to have been 16
responsible for the truncation of this burial. The presence of disarticulated bone fragments elsewhere also indicates the disturbance of burials through subsequent alterations and additions within the church and is not an uncommon feature. 7.2 The crypt recorded beneath the altar dated to the late 18 th /early 19 th centuries as attested by the stone memorial erected in the chancel, the inscription reads; "In a Vault near this place are deposited the remains of / JOHN RABY ESQ. Lord of this Manor and Patron of this Living / he died the 27 th May 1794 / in the 61 st year of his age. / Also of THOMAS HICKS Gent who died the 8 th Febry 1794 / in the 59 th year of his age. / Also JOHN HICKS, son of the above named THOMAS and ELIZABETH his wife, who departed this life on the 3 rd November 1785 in the 21 st year of his age. / Also of ELIZABETH RABY the mother of the said JOHN RABY / who died the 10 th March 1795 / the 93 rd year of her age. JAMES RABY the husband of the said ELIZABETH / and father of the above named JOHN RABY lies / inter'd in the church-yard at South Rainham in this County. JAMES RABY an infant son of the said JAMES / and ELIZABETH RABY. Beneath the altar are inter'd the remains / of ELIZABETH wife of BENJAMIN BARKER ESQ. and previously widow of THOMAS HICKS / Gentm. She died 24 th July 1813 aged 75 years. ", this entry belonging to the coffin plate identified from the uppermost central burial within the crypt. The plate records the date of Elizabeth Barkers burial on 2 nd August 1813. 7.3 The cuts identified between the arcading on the north and south side of the nave are most probably the 'robbed' out foundation trenches of the nave walls prior to the erection of aisles on each side during the 15 th century (on the north side) and 13 th century (on the south). The relatively shallow nature of the excavations did not offer the opportunity to further examine the foundation trenches within the confines of the programme of works though they were preserved in situ. 7.4 The brick-infilled stone window opening identified in the east wall of the chancel is of interest. A precise date is unknown though may relate to the original construction of the chancel in the 13 th century. It may have had at least one stone mullion based on observed surviving tracery. It is appropriate that the outline of this window has been highlighted during the current improvement works attesting the church s history. 17
Acknowledgments The project was undertaken by Chris Birks on behalf of St Mary, Watton Parochial Church Council who also funded the work. Monitoring was undertaken by Chris Birks and John Simmons. Many thanks to Denis Tuttle, architect, who also provided a number of photographs. The draft report was written by Chris Birks with contributions by John Simmons and edited by Chris Birks. Drawings were prepared by Chris Birks and John Simmons. Many thanks to Alice Cattermole and staff at the Norfolk Historic and Environment Record office based at Gressenhall. Thanks also to James Albone, David Gurney, Ken Hamilton, David Robertson and Andrew Rogerson at the Norfolk County Council Historic Environment Service.
Bibliography Birks, C., 2000 Generic Project Design for Archaeological Watching Briefs. Chris Birks unpublished document Blomefield, F., 1805 Topographical History of the County of Norfolk Brown, N., and 2000 Research and Archaeology; a Framework for Glazebrook, J. (eds), the Eastern Counties 2. Research agenda and strategy English Heritage 1991 Management of Archaeological Projects (MAP2) Funnell, B., Funnell, B., Corbett, W & Dent, D., 1994 The Soil Landscapes, in An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, Wade-Martins, P. (ed.) 2005 Solid Geology in An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, edited by Ashwin, T., and Davison, A. 1994 The Soil Landscapes, in An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, Wade-Martins, P. (ed.) Gurney, D., 2003 Standards for Field Archaeology in the East Of England (East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Papers 14 Rye, J., 1991 A Popular Guide to Norfolk Place Names. Dereham, Larks Press SCAUM 1997 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1992 and Health and Safety in Field Archaeology
Appendix 1. Photographic Register Number Direction facing Description Date 1 Northeast St Mary s Church, general external view 22 Sep 2011 2 - Chancel ceiling 22 Sep 2011 3 West Pews 09 Aug 2010 4 Northwest Pews 16 Sep 2008 5 Southwest Pews and platforms 16 Sep 2008 6 Northwest Pews and platforms 29 Jan 2010 7 Northeast Pews and platforms 29 Jan 2010 8 South Pews and platforms 29 Jan 2010 9 East Chancel 22 Sep 2011 10 East Chancel step 22 Sep 2011 11 West Chancel 22 Sep 2011 12 East Chancel screen in situ 16 Sep 2008 13 - Chancel screen detail, following removal 22 Sep 2011 14 Northeast Pulpit 29 Sep 2010 15 Southeast Pulpit 29 Sep 2010 16 South The font 22 Sep 2011 17 Northwest The font 22 Sep 2011 18 From above The font 22 Sep 2011 19 Southeast Lecturn 29 Jan 2010 20 East Vaulted brick structure within the Chancel leading to crypt [4] 01 Nov 2011 21 East Crypt [4] 01 Nov 2011 22 West Burial [17] 08 Oct 2011 23 Northwest Infilled window, lower section 22 Sep 2011 24 Northwest Infilled window, upper section 22 Sep 2011 25 West Infilled window, upper central section 22 Sep 2011 26 Southwest Infilled window, lower north section 22 Sep 2011 27 Northwest Infilled window, upper section 22 Sep 2011 28 West Stone tracery of infilled window 22 Sep 2011 29 West Carved stone fragment in fabric of chancel east wall 22 Sep 2011 30 Northwest St Mary s Church following improvement works 22 Sep 2011
Appendix 2. Context Summary Context No. Area Type Description 1 Chancel D Lime mortar rubble and occasional red brick rubble 2 Chancel D Dark greyish brown silty clay loam with frequent chalk flecks 3 Chancel M Vaulted brick structure 4 Chancel M Brick crypt 5 North Aisle 6 North Aisle 7 North Aisle 8 North Aisle D D C D White limecrete and crushed lime mortar Dark greyish brown silty clay loam with occasional chalk flecks and rare small to medium sized rounded flints East-west cut Dark brownish yellow silty sand fill of [7] with flecks of chalk and medium to large sized rounded flints 9 Nave D White limecrete and crushed lime mortar 10 Nave D Dark greyish brown silty clay loam with occasional chalk flecks and rare small to medium sized rounded flints 11 Nave aisle C Cut (chalk-filled), not further investigated 12 Arcade C Void 13 Arcade C Void 14 Arcade D Dark greyish brown silty clay loam 15 South aisle 16 South aisle 17 South aisle 18 North aisle D D Sk D White limecrete and crushed lime mortar Dark greyish brown silty clay loam with occasional chalk flecks and rare small to medium sized rounded flints Partial remains of a human burial White limecrete and crushed lime mortar with frequent disarticulated human bone fragments KEY C = Cut D = Deposit M = Masonry Sk = Human Skeletal remains
Appendix 3. OASIS Record OASIS ID: chrisbir1-148442 Project details Project name Archaeological monitoring at 'St Mary's Church, Watton' Short description of the project An archaeological watching brief was undertaken at 'St Mary's Parish Church, Watton, Norfolk' in 2011 during improvement work. Project dates Start: 22-09-2011 End: 01-11-2011 Previous/future work Any associated project reference codes Type of project Site status Current Land use Monument type Monument type Significant Finds Investigation type Prompt Project location Country Site location Study area Site coordinates Project creators Name of Organisation Project brief originator Project design originator Project director/manager Project supervisor Type of sponsor/funding body Project archives Physical Archive Exists? Digital Archive Exists? Paper Archive recipient Yes / Not known 8795 - SM No. Recording project Listed Building Other 4 - Churchyard CHURCH Medieval CHURCHYARD Medieval HUMAN BONE Uncertain ''Recorded Observation'',''Watching Brief'' Direction from Local Planning Authority - PPG16 England NORFOLK BRECKLAND WATTON St Mary's Church, Watton, Norfolk 400.00 Square metres TF 92135 00941 52 0 52 34 18 N 000 50 08 E Point Chris Birks Local Authority Archaeologist and/or Planning Authority/advisory body Chris Birks Chris Birks Chris Birks Parochial Church Council No No Norfolk Museums Service Paper Archive ID 8795 Paper Contents Paper Media available ''none'' ''Context sheet'',''photograph'',''plan'',''report'',''unpublished Text''
Project bibliography 1 Publication type Title Author(s)/Editor(s) Birks, C. Other bibliographic details Date 2013 Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at 'St Mary's Church, Watton, Norfolk' Report Number CB269R Issuer or publisher Place of issue or publication Description Chris Birks Contractor's Report Bound A4 report with text, colour digital images, site location plan and site plan drawing Entered by Entered on 17 April 2013 Chris Birks (chris@chrisbirksarchaeology.co.uk) OASIS: Please e-mail English Heritage for OASIS help and advice ADS 1996-2012 Created by Jo Gilham and Jen Mitcham, email Last modified Wednesday 9 May 2012 Cite only: http://www.oasis.ac.uk/form/print.cfm for this page
Boiler Cavity Detail of burial [17] N 16 Projected outline of gravecut [17] 0 0.5m Scale 1:10 cables rise in corner to roof level WC Vestry UNA EmL N5 N4 N3 North Aisle new limecrete base to relocated font ramp up up Kitchen 830 retain extg pamments Organ Chamber up Tower Nave Chancel grille grille up duct covers - refer dwg 09 Choir Vestry South Aisle USA S5 EmL cupboards to existing dado height - refer dwg 11 S4 S3 USA S4 S3 USA cupd cupd S1 S2 USA S1 UNA EmL N4 N3 UNA EmL extg pamments taken N2 up & set aside N1 hatched area relaid using selected salvaged pamments S2 USA UNA EmL N6 N2 N1 UNA New position of font Crypt [4] and entrance [3] Former position of font Void [12] Void [13] Burial [17] EmL EmL EmL 0 5m St Mary s Church, Watton, Norfolk Scale 1:100 Report Number CB269R Figure 2. Site plan