Ruins Of Church Of St James At Tf 662 207

The ruins of the Church of St. James, also known as the Church of St. Mary, are located in Bawsey. This ruined parish church dates back to the 11th century and is constructed from Carstone rubble, with some flint, erratics, and Sandringham sandstone, featuring stone dressings. The church is roofless and consists of a central tower, nave, and chancel, with parts of the walls still standing.

The axial square tower has its north and east faces remaining at full height, both showing large vertical cracks. The lower west face and the east angle of the south face are also present. There are single splay semi-circular headed bell openings on the east and north sides, with remnants of external side shafts and a string course below. The quoins of the north and east faces display long and short work beneath the string course. The north face features some putlog holes and remains of a semi-circular headed single splay opening. The east side has two steep gable lines, with the lower possibly indicating a vaulted chancel roof.

The south wall of the chancel is still standing, featuring a diagonal buttress and the east jamb of a 4-centred window opening, which was complete in 1931. The nave has diagonal buttresses and remnants of opposing doorways at the north and south ends. Inside, there is a semi-circular headed nave arch leading to the tower, which consists of two orders; the inner order has complete zig-zag mouldings, while the outer has an incomplete double roll moulding. Both mouldings are positioned above former pairs of side shafts with cushion capitals, though only the left shaft remains. The chancel arch is plain and semi-circular headed, with imposts leading to the tower. The tower arches to the nave and chancel both feature single roll moulding, with side shafts that have cushion capitals at the angles of the jambs.

The church is situated on an isolated hilltop and has been in ruins since before 1770. The ruins have significantly diminished since 1931, as noted by C.W. Messent in "Ruined Churches of Norfolk." The site is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument in Norfolk.