ALL SAINTS CHURCH , EARSHAM
Earsham: The parish church of All Saints stands close to the river Waveney, its shingle spire - added to the 14th-century tower some time about 1700 - attesting the presence of the village, and of God, in this part of the valley.
It has probably stood here since Norman times when, in 1086, the Doomsday Book recorded the water mill nearby. Before that, there may well have been a small timber building, and the knoll on which the church stands suggests that it could have been originally the site of a "preaching cross" where Christian people from a wider area would gather.
During the mediaeval period, in successive alterations the nave was lengthened, the tower and chancel were added, and finally the windows were greatly enlarged. Internally, the church (listed Grade I) is notable for the rare 16th century "twelve apostles" font (sadly defaced in Cromwell's purge) and a west gallery constructed for the musicians in about 1800.
A number of fine roundels of old Flemish glass engraved with biblical scenes - from demolition of an abbey in Belgium - were donated at that time and may be viewed on www.cvma.ac.uk.
Recently, an extension with kitchen facilities has been added to give a place for meetings and courses such as Alpha and Growing Leaders. And, most importantly - it has a loo!
A HISTORIC CONNECTION
One of our churches has a particular link with the battle of
Trafalgar: at Earsham is interred the body of a veteran of the battle,
Capt. John Windham Dalling RN... see opposite.
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A Historic Connection
Our church bells around the Benefice rang out, with others all over Norfolk, on the weekend of the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafaglar, in October 2005
One of our churches has a particular link with the battle: at Earsham is interred the body of a veteran of the battle, Capt. John Windham Dalling RN, who at the age of 16 had taken part at Trafalgar as a Midshipman. He died in 1853, aged 64, at Earsham Hall, where he had come to live during his retirement.
Luckily for him, perhaps - though doubtless to his great regret at the time - his ship, Defence (Capt: Sir G.Hope), was one of the few out of that great fleet which saw little action. A couple of years later, however, he was involved in some of the notable "Small Boat Actions" in the Adriatic, in command of one of the boats. His Captain now - on HMS Amphion - was Sir W.Hoste, another Norfolk man and celebrated today as one of Nelson’s commanders at Trafalgar. JMM.
Further information:
After
Adriatic, posted to Cape (where RM was Lt.Governor): c1816 posted
Scotland in command of a sloop – became a friend of Sir Walter
Scott: later commanded HMS Raleigh and HMS Daphne: promoted Post
Captain 1828, retired c1840.
Married 1844 Frances Fanshawe (b.1813); no children.