Shotesham, Norfolk....

The ruins of St Martin's, Shotesham in Norfolk.....  interesting that the name 'Shotesham' is thought to mean 'settlement of the Scot or Irishman'....

St Martin's is one of four Medieval churches in the current parish of Shotesham and these ruins probably date from around 1200 although there was a church on this site in 1050 as it is recorded that Edward the Confessor at that point gave the church to the Abbot of St Benets.  It was partly destroyed during the reign of 'orrible Henry VIII, and in 1603 over 70 parishioners were recorded as attending communion.  By the beginning of the 19th century it was abandoned and became 'ruinous'. An excavation in 1933 found that the church had been burnt.  In 2009 following mounting concern by local people and the PCC work was started on clearance of undergrowth and conservation of the ruins....

St Mary's behind St Martin's ...

St Mary's... it may have been a religious our burial site before the present St Mary's was built ....

Medieval glass....

The doorway dates to about 1200, and the door handle has lizard designs which are an emblem of good luck for all who enter through the door....

The 'Judas window' in the ancient door....

Pretty surrounding countryside....

And not far down the road is Venta Icenorum of course!