Buckenham: St Nicholas
Overview
Grid reference: TG 355 58
The base of the tower is probably Norman, the upper stage Early English; the character of the window tracery in the body of the building is a mixture of Decorated (chancel east window) and Perpendicular (nave windows). There was a major restoration in 1841 which added a great deal to the character of the interior.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Octagonal west tower, nave and chancel; on the north side of the nave is a vestry, which was formerly a porch.
Description of Archaeology and History
The base of the tower is probably Norman, the upper stage Early English; the character of the window tracery in the body of the building is a mixture of Decorated (chancel east window) and Perpendicular (nave windows). There was a major restoration in 1841 which added a great deal to the character of the interior.
Exterior Description
The south flank of the church divides itself into two more or less equal bays, in each of which is a Perpendicular window with four-centred head and cusped tracery. The windows have brick surrounds. At either end and roughly in the centre is a buttress with a single set -off and a panel carved with blank tracery unusual and attractive feature. In the western bay is a Norman doorway with plain imposts and zigzag moulding. On the west impost, low down, is a Mass dial.
Continuing in an anti-clockwise direction, the chancel south wall has three windows: quite a large three-light Perpendicular window, a smaller window with Y-tracery, and then a buttress followed by a further window with Y-tracery.
The chancel east window is large, of five principal lights with ogee cusping in the middle and outer lights, and Decorated tracery in the head. Above the apex of the window a small vigorously carved and faintly malevolent mediaeval carved head projects, and above that a small blocked lancet opening which may perhaps have been in origin a shallow niche for a statue.
The nave north wall has two Decorated windows, the north vestry (which presumably began life as a porch), and some puzzling masonry just to the west of the porch which may indicate the original location of a north doorway. The two windows each have two lights, but the tracery differs: the easterly one has four tiny cusped quatrefoils in the head, while the other has one quatrefoil and two swirling mouchettes. The north wall of the vestry is clearly 19th century, with a Perpendicular-style window of two lights and square hood-moulding which suggests the restoration of 1841. The east and west walls of the vestry also have two-light windows, with cinquefoil-headed lights and square hood-moulds.
A large number of early Norfolk towers (just pre-Conquest, or Norman) are round, and subsequently a good many were heightened by the addition of an octagonal Perpendicular belfry-stage. Buckenham is exceptional in that it is octagonal from the ground up: both the character of the quoins and the doorway if it is indeed in situ suggest that the tower is Norman. The belfry stage is also unusual in that it is refined Early English work. There is a tall lancet on each face, half of them blank and half with a smaller lancet enclosed to serve as the belfry opening. The eight tall lancets have roll-moulded surrounds and there is a string-course below. The belfry stage is completed by a stepped parapet extensively formed or repaired in brick.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
East Window - It is a great pity that the glass of the five main lights has gone: what remains is the traces of canopy heads in the tops of these lights; two tiers of cherubs' heads (with remarkable colouring blues, greens, reds and orange).
Interior
Interior Description
The screen consists of a central ogce arch and Perpendicular tracery. This, as with so much of interest in the interior, must date from the 1841 restoration. Also consistent with this date are the bold hood-mouldings over the windows and the arches to tower and vestry. Also of this date are the ceilings of both nave and chancel. The nave ceiling is supported by wall plates ornamented with foliage carvings and below the wall plates are eight own shields on either side, now simply painted pale green. The north and south slopes of the ceiling are divided by the moulded timber supports of the roof into three tiers of plastered panels on either side. The panels are individually decorated in a charming manner with a motif which combines an intertwined circlet bound with delicate sprigs of foliage. The nave has a floor of red pamments.
Fixtures and fittings
Rail
1840s
Stone Communion Rail
Screen
1840s
Perpendicular stone screen across the tower arch.
Font (object)
15th Century
15th contury Perpendicular Font with tiny carved figures of the Apostles
Churchyard
Grid reference: TG 355 58
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.
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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