All Saints' Church, Swanton Morley

All Saints Church Swanton Morley

This is has a fine location on the top of a hill at one end of the village, on the road leading to Bawdeswell. It is a grade one listed building and has a number of interesting features, which make it well worth a visit.

However, it is not the first church on this site, for one was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The present church was probably begun in about 1360. We know for certain that the church was in course of construction in 1379 because it was then that Sir William de Morley bequeathed the sum of ten marks (£6-13s-4d) and a gilt cup to the church.

It is a large church for a village and it was built to a very ambitious design. In particular the aisles of the nave extend to ‘embrace’ the tower, which is supported on three sides by massive arches. The effect of this is to give a large open space at the west end.

The stone tracery in the aisle windows, which is in a very early Perpendicular style, is particularly fine and is by Robert Wodehirst who was the master mason who rebuilt the presbytery clerestory at Norwich Cathedral after the spire collapsed in 1362.

For more information on All Saints Swanton Morley please click here  http://swantonmorleychurch.co.uk/