From an engraving by J.B.Ladbrooke 1820 |
Despite extensive
restoration, the exterior of the church, with the exception of the tower, is of very
similar appearance to the engraving on the left. Click on the icon above to see the
church as it is today.
The tower, started in 1633, was left
unfinished because after the Great Fire of London in 1666, the masons were called to
rebuild London. It was not to be completed until 1935 when it was built to
commemorate King George V's Silver Jubilee. |
Thornham Church was started in
Norman times, but building came to an abrupt stop in 1348 with the scourge of the Black
Death. (It is thought that the spinney named Plug Pits in Granary Road, Thornham
is the former burial ground called Plague Pits.)
The Church, like so many, was added to through the
centuries and much restoration took place. By the middle of the nineteenth century,
however, the church had become extremely dilapidated. Major works of restoration
continued for 50 years in that century. The bell was re-hung in the tower, the
chancel was completely rebuilt and the roof of the nave was restored.
South Porch
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The South Porth
The upper chamber is approached by a stair in the small turret seen on the right of
the picture |
13th century doorway and the wicket door
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The entrance to the church is through the 13th century doorway which has a fine
15th century perpendicular door with a wicket door for general use. There is a small
carving at the top of the door showing a fox preaching to a congregation of geese! |
Interior
The very wide nave has arcades with
thirteenth century columns, reset on higher bases when the church was largely rebuilt
towards the end of the fifteenth century. At this time the clerestory windows were
added above the heightened arcade and the fine hammerbeam roof was constructed. It
rests on large corbel brackets with carved heads re-used from the earlier church.
The principal benefactors to the church in
the fifteenth century were the Miller family, wealthy local merchants. Brass
inscriptions to Simon Miller who died in 1464 and his son John Miller 1488 are reset in
the south aisle.
The centre aisle of the nave showing the rood screen and carvings on the bench
ends.
Some of these can be seen in detail below
The bench ends date from the 15th century and have poppy-heads
and carved arms. The carvings seen above include a bird, a ship and a unicorn.
Among other carvings are represented a chalice and three represent Anger,
Drunkenness and Sloth.
Although it can be seen that the carvings have sustained some damage, it must
also be noted that great care is taken of these ancient carvings.
The rood screen ( a
section showing on the right) was donated by John Miller and his wife Clarice. It
sustained considerable damage in the 17th century but is still worth seeing. It is
one of the few examples showing Old Testament Prophets rather than the Twelve Apostles.
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There was much restoration carried out in 1635
during which time the pulpit (left) was installed. |
The octagonal font (right) is 15th century.
The panels contain painted shields. The cross of St. Andrew, The cross of St.
George, The instruments of the Passion, the three coronets for the See of Ely, Three
crowns for East Anglia and Three chalices for the Blessed Sacrament. |
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The Bells
There are three bells in Thornham Church. Two in the tower
and one in the nave. Of the two in the tower, the larger bell was made by J. Taylor
& Co., of Loughborough in 1865. It has a diameter of 38½ inches and weighs
approximately 10cwt. The bellframe is mounted on massive bearers and its fittings
ensured that the bell could be swung through a full circle. |
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The second and smaller bell is one of the oldest known bells in
the country, possibly dating from the 12th century. The bell has a diameter of 17½
inches and weighs about ¾ cwt.
Advisor on Bells, Dr. Paul Cattermole reported to the Diocese in 1993 that this bell is
one of three of the oldest bells in Norfolk. Snettisham and Heacham have similar
bells and they are also similar in design to the inscribed bell at West Newton which has
been attributed to a King's Lynn bell-founder. Dr. Cattermole goes on to say in his
report "Small bells like this were probably intended to be used as sacring bells,
rung at the elevation of the Host during the mass and few survived the Reformation."
This ancient bell is secured to a timber headstock by means of
nailed bands. The bell has clearly been disused for many years. "The
ancient ironwork", Dr. Cattermole says, "although now very heavily corroded is
of great interest." It is of great archaeological importance and will remain
for the time being high up in the tower until decisions are made regarding its future.
The third bell hangs in the nave on the west wall
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The minesweeper HMS Thornham gave its ship's bell to Thornham
Church in 1969 and it is rung, only once a year. Each November it is rung to signal
the two minutes silence. The ship's flag that accompanies the bell was
flown on HMS Victory.
On the wall alongside the bell there is a framed photograph of HMS Thornham |
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