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Matlaske Church

St Peter's Church Matlaske is the only church in our Benefice which boasts a round tower. The nave and tower were built together in Saxon times, and the tower walls, for the first fifteen feet are enormously thick. The thickness then is reduced, and reduced again for the octagonal belfry stage. The chancel collapsed dramatically during a communion service in March 1726. No-one was hurt as the walls fell outward, but it was never rebuilt. Some of the stones were used to wall up the chancel arch and other stones may be seen on the churchyard wall.

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Please visit this ancient church, and walk around the back of the church where you will find two benches on which to sit and contemplate the peacefulness of this place.

St Peter's is part of the Barningham Benefice, and services are held twice monthly at St Peter's. Please see Village diary page for details.

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References to Matlaske Church in ancient records

Walter de Malteby online in an early nineteenth century history of Norfolk

William de Valentia Earl of Pembroke, half brother to King Henry III held it in capite of that King, with Saxthorp, in his 34th year, and was held of by him by Walter de Mawteby, who married Christian, daughter and coheir of Sir Piers de Bassingham; and in the 6th of Edward I William le Fleght or Flegg released to Walter de Mauteby, by deed, inrolled in the Common Pleas in Hillary term, all his right in this manor, that of Bassingham, and West Beckham; and in the 15th of that King, the jury find, that the King, as lord of the hundred, used to receive 6s 4d lete fee, and for suit of court at Gunegate, out of Matlask, Plumstede, &c which had been withdrawn for 32 years last past, by William de Valentia, to the loss of the King, 10l but William proving that King Henry III in his 36th year, had granted the lete, &c to him and his heirs, it was allowed.

Merton Priory Records. Ref. to Matlask and Plumstead

p155 Oct11th 1274  In Norfolk, in the Hundred of Norther Erpingham, they found that William de Valence claimed to have view of franc-pledge and assize of bread and beer in the Ville of Matelask, Plumstede, and Berningham, viz of the homage of Walter de Malteby and Prior of Merton, and held view of franc-pledge

In the M P Records at a time when grants were being administered

p31  1177-1186  Robert, prior, and the Convent, They granted to Geoffrey, chaplin of J (John de Grey), Bishop of Norwich, for life, their churches of Matelasch and Plumstedde (both in Norfolk), at a rental of 3 marcs per annum: he paying fees of the Bishop and Officials.

Ref  7  Cart no111, fo.xcv.John of Oxford was Bishop of Norwich from 1175-1201.

In the history submitted by St Michael's Plumstead it is recorded

St Michael's Plumstead, Norfolk, list of Rectors has:

1320 Thomas de Coldyngham prresented by the Priory of Merton. Coldingham was an abbey in Berkshire. The benefice was in the gift of Merton Abbey (should be priory) until the Reformation when it was appropriated by the King as Duke of Lancaster.


For more detailed information about the building, please visit www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/matlaske/matlaske.htm

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