Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Thomas Newman 1711
Dove Bell ID: 51201 Tower ID: 18461 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Blyford: All Saints
Diocese of St.Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Church, 633363
http://blythvalleychurches.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: TM 424 767
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chancel, west tower, north porch.
Dimensions:
Nave c 12m (50 ft) x 7m (22 ft), chancel 12m (50ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 185 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
There are scattered Prehistoric, Roman and Saxon settlement remains in the area. Immediately before the Conquest Blyford was held by Edwin the Thegn, whose will includes a bequest of land to Blyford church. The manor was helf by Godric the Steward in 1086, the holding then included a church. The church was granted to Blythborough Priory (Augustinian) by Ralph de Criketot c 1199, and remained a possession of the Priory until the Dissolution. The site is of exceptional archaeological potential, and the Historic Environment Record should be consulted if any disturbance or development is considered. As already noted, the churchyard is of high ecological value.
The manor of Blyford appears in the Domesday Book and a church is mentioned, but the earliest details are early 12th century in date. There was a major 13th century rebuild with a lengthened chancel, and this period gives the church its defining character. In the 15th century the tower and porch were added. The church was sympathetically restored in the 1840s, as well as in 1875 and 1924 but not substantially rebuilt. There were repairs including limewashing recently.
Exterior Description
This church is a real undiscovered gem. It has received sympathetic restoration, the thick limewash giving pleasing texture and reinforcing the simplicity of the plan, design and tracery. The square 15th-century west tower is the only part which has not been thus rendered, allowing one to see the gable scar of the 13th-century nave roof on its east face. It is of three stages with diagonal buttresses to the west and a crenellated parapet; the plinth, buttresses and parapet are enriched with flushwork. The west face has a doorway with lion label stops to the arch and a 2-light window below which is a full-width quatrefoil flushwork frieze. 2-light bell-chamber openings. Some fine gargoyles. The carving is all of high quality, perhaps due to the monastic connection.
The nave has thick 12th-century walls pierced by two 15th-century 2-light square-headed windows, largely original. To the west bay, fine gabled 15th-century north porch of knapped flint with flushwork panels to the facade; parapet with stone tracery at the front and flushwork to the sides. The entrance arch and hoodmould are enriched with fleurons, and there are carved stone shields in the spandrels; above the arch is an empty statue niche.
Good original north and south doorways, dated c 1120 by the Corpus of Romanseque Sculpture. The north doorway within the porch has two orders of colonettes, the outer order with spiral decoration, carved cushion capitals and three orders to the arch, two with chevrons and the central one roll-moulded. The south doorway is simpler, with one order of colonettes with chevron ornament and a roll-moulded arch.
The late 13th-century chancel is a rare survival, stylistically intact, and again of a quality which may betray the monastic connection. Two 2-light windows with Y-tracery and a lancet window in the west bay in the north wall; 3-light east window with intersecting tracery. Two 2-light windows with Y-tracery, and Priest's doorway to the south wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
12th century
Chancel
13th century
Tower (component)
15th century west
Porch
15th century north
Building Materials
Flint
12th & 13th century rubble
Flint
15th century tower is of knapped flint mixed with stone
Stone
15th century dressings
Slate
20th century new roof
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the interior is long and narrow, of equally long nave and chancel with no division, a very simple and dignified atmosphere. An odd feature as already noted is the strips of fabric which have been left exposed. The tower space within a tall plain pointed arch (restored?) contains cupboards and the roof stairs, there could be potential for introducing facilities here. Ceiled-over roofs, probably early 19th-century, painted Ecclesiological Blue. In the south sanctuary is a late 13th-century angle piscina with trefoil arch and a drop-sill sedilia, a rare complete survival. In the south-west nave is a niche of a banner stave locker, another rare survival. Holy water stoup in north wall. Attractive set of 19th-century benches with poppyheads. Tiled floors throughout in chequer pattern.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
16th century Holy Table, richly carved with baluster legs, very fine
Pulpit
19th century ornately carved hexagonal oak
Lectern
19th century oak reading stand, of a piece with the pulpit
Rail
19th century brass with twisted standards
Font (component)
13th century plain octagonal font bowl, on a stem with eight colonnettes, possibly 17th century lid
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: TM 424 767
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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