North Runcton
Encyclopedia
North Runcton is a village and a civil parish in the English
county
of Norfolk
. The village is 43.2 miles (69.5 km) west of Norwich
, 4.3 miles (6.9 km) south-south-west of King's Lynn
and 102 miles (164.2 km) north of London
. The village is located a small distance south-west of the A47
between King's Lynn
and Swaffham
. The nearest railway station is at King's Lynn
for the Fen Line
which runs between King's Lynn
and Cambridge
. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport
. The parish of North Runcton in the 2001 census
, has a population of 266. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
.
, which is 1 miles (1.6 km) west along Rectory Lane.
Half a mile from the village green is the junction with the A47
. The road south from the common leads to Setchey 2 miles (3.2 km) away. Other nearby villages include Middleton
and Blackborough End. The village surrounded by arable farmland. In the centre of the village is the green and All Saints' parish church. Also on the green are the buildings which used to house the school and the post office
which closed in October 1975. The village school closed in July 1983 but the building now serves as the village meeting place and is also holds a nursery which opened 1996.
The English actor Michael Caine
was evacuated to North Runcton from London during World War II
.
. Crop marks visible on archaeology
oblique aerial photographs taken in 1976 showed a complex series of features including rectangular and sub-rounded enclosures, linear features and pits. Evidence to back Roman occupation have been backed up with archaeological finds which have includes a bracelet, coins, a dolphin brooch
and a plate brooch.
cemetery. A few metal objects have also been recovered from the parish including a late Saxon stirrup strap of an unusual form found at Brooke Farm.
of 1085 where its population, land ownership and productive resources were extensively detailed In the great book North Runcton is recorded by the name of Runghetuna and Rynghetona. The main tenants being Hermer de Ferrers and William d'Ecouis
. The survey also records always 11 villagers, 7 smallholders, 2 slaves, meadow, 30 acres (121,405.8 m²). Always 2 ploughs in lordship, 1 men's plough, 1½ mills.
In the Domesday survey fractions were used to indicate that the entry, in this case a mill was situated within more than one parish. woodland at 20 pigs, 4 salt-houses and one third of a fifth. Always 1 cob, 4 head of cattle, 27 pigs, 100 sheep. 1 church, 30 acres (121,405.8 m²). 13 Freemen appertain to this manor, 37 acres (149,733.8 m²). Always 1 plough. Value always £6 4s 0d. The whole has 1 league in length and in width, of a 20s King's tax, it pays 12d. West Winch is in this measurement.
All Saints' Church, North Runcton, was built by the architect Henry Bell
, a contemporary of Christopher Wren
, who also built the Custom House in King's Lynn. At the time Bell lived within the parish at North Runcton Hall. The church is built on the site of the previous church, which was flattened when the tower collapsed in 1701. Most of the exterior is constructed from brick and carrstone but earlier Norman and possibly Anglo-Saxon
materials have been incorporated.
Four Ionic
columns support the domed roof with other columns supporting the tripartite chancel
arch. The reredos
panelling is the work of Bell. The tower has been re-built from Norman materials with carved fragments that might be older. The church was extended and altered in late 19th century. The church's internal furnishings date from the 1713 reconstruction by Bell. The font is from St Margaret's of King's Lynn. Bell had died in 1711, two years before the work was completed. It is a Grade I listed building. In the 19th century the rectorship was "in the gift" of Trinity College, Cambridge and the banker, Daniel Gurney. Appointments as rector included the astronomer, Nevil Maskelyne
, and the chemistry professor, Joseph Cumming.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county
County
A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
of Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. The village is 43.2 miles (69.5 km) west of Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, 4.3 miles (6.9 km) south-south-west of King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
and 102 miles (164.2 km) north of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The village is located a small distance south-west of the A47
A47 road
The A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
between King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
and Swaffham
Swaffham
Swaffham is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is situated east of King's Lynn and west of Norwich.The civil parish has an area of and in the 2001 census had a population of 6,935 in 3,130 households...
. The nearest railway station is at King's Lynn
King's Lynn railway station
King's Lynn railway station serves the town of King's Lynn in Norfolk. The station is the terminus of the Fen Line from Cambridge, which is electrified at 25 kV AC overhead...
for the Fen Line
Fen Line
The Fen Line is a railway in the United Kingdom that runs between the cities of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and King's Lynn, Norfolk; the line is so called because it runs through The Fens. The line is part of the Network Rail Strategic Route 5 and comprises SRS 05.06 and part of 05.05...
which runs between King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
and Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport
Norwich International Airport
Norwich International Airport , also known as Norwich Airport, is an airport in the City of Norwich within Norfolk, England north of the city centre and on the edge of the city's suburbs....
. The parish of North Runcton in the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, has a population of 266. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk is a local government district and borough in Norfolk, England. Its council is based in the town of King's Lynn.-History:...
.
Description
The parish of North Runcton is situated in the west of Norfolk, and is 4.3 miles (6.9 km) directly southeast of the town of King's Lynn. The name North Runcton is thought to originate from the Old English for settlement at the north bridge, or northern settlement at the bridge.The village is close to the village of West WinchWest Winch
West Winch is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 2,596 in 1,068 households as of the 2001 census.For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk....
, which is 1 miles (1.6 km) west along Rectory Lane.
Half a mile from the village green is the junction with the A47
A47 road
The A47 is a trunk road in England originally linking Birmingham to Great Yarmouth. Most of the section between Birmingham and Nuneaton is now classified as the B4114.-Route:...
. The road south from the common leads to Setchey 2 miles (3.2 km) away. Other nearby villages include Middleton
Middleton, Norfolk
Middleton is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 1,516 in 621 households as of the 2001 census.For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of King's Lynn and West Norfolk....
and Blackborough End. The village surrounded by arable farmland. In the centre of the village is the green and All Saints' parish church. Also on the green are the buildings which used to house the school and the post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
which closed in October 1975. The village school closed in July 1983 but the building now serves as the village meeting place and is also holds a nursery which opened 1996.
The English actor Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
was evacuated to North Runcton from London during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Roman period
Evidence suggests that there had been a settlement in the parish during the Roman periodRoman Britain
Roman Britain was the part of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire from AD 43 until ca. AD 410.The Romans referred to the imperial province as Britannia, which eventually comprised all of the island of Great Britain south of the fluid frontier with Caledonia...
. Crop marks visible on archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
oblique aerial photographs taken in 1976 showed a complex series of features including rectangular and sub-rounded enclosures, linear features and pits. Evidence to back Roman occupation have been backed up with archaeological finds which have includes a bracelet, coins, a dolphin brooch
Brooch
A brooch ; also known in ancient times as a fibula; is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments. It is usually made of metal, often silver or gold but sometimes bronze or some other material...
and a plate brooch.
Saxons
During the 1920s and '30s archeologist unearthed a Saxon inhumation or burial containing beads and a brooch within the parish. Also discovered and excavated was an early Saxon cremationCremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
cemetery. A few metal objects have also been recovered from the parish including a late Saxon stirrup strap of an unusual form found at Brooke Farm.
The Normans and the Domesday Book
North Runcton has an entry in the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of 1085 where its population, land ownership and productive resources were extensively detailed In the great book North Runcton is recorded by the name of Runghetuna and Rynghetona. The main tenants being Hermer de Ferrers and William d'Ecouis
William d'Ecouis
William d'Ecouis was a knight who accompanied William the Conqueror on his invasion of England in 1066...
. The survey also records always 11 villagers, 7 smallholders, 2 slaves, meadow, 30 acres (121,405.8 m²). Always 2 ploughs in lordship, 1 men's plough, 1½ mills.
In the Domesday survey fractions were used to indicate that the entry, in this case a mill was situated within more than one parish. woodland at 20 pigs, 4 salt-houses and one third of a fifth. Always 1 cob, 4 head of cattle, 27 pigs, 100 sheep. 1 church, 30 acres (121,405.8 m²). 13 Freemen appertain to this manor, 37 acres (149,733.8 m²). Always 1 plough. Value always £6 4s 0d. The whole has 1 league in length and in width, of a 20s King's tax, it pays 12d. West Winch is in this measurement.
All Saints' Parish Church
Henry Bell (architect)
Henry Bell was an architect from the 17th century, a contemporary of Christopher Wren. The son of a wealthy merchant family, he designed many buildings in West Norfolk including the Custom House in King's Lynn and All Saints Church in North Runcton.He served twice as Mayor of King's Lynn, he was...
, a contemporary of Christopher Wren
Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren FRS is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.He used to be accorded responsibility for rebuilding 51 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710...
, who also built the Custom House in King's Lynn. At the time Bell lived within the parish at North Runcton Hall. The church is built on the site of the previous church, which was flattened when the tower collapsed in 1701. Most of the exterior is constructed from brick and carrstone but earlier Norman and possibly Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
materials have been incorporated.
Four Ionic
Ionians
The Ionians were one of the four major tribes into which the Classical Greeks considered the population of Hellenes to have been divided...
columns support the domed roof with other columns supporting the tripartite chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
arch. The reredos
Reredos
thumb|300px|right|An altar and reredos from [[St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic Church|St. Josaphat Catholic Church]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. This would be called a [[retable]] in many other languages and countries....
panelling is the work of Bell. The tower has been re-built from Norman materials with carved fragments that might be older. The church was extended and altered in late 19th century. The church's internal furnishings date from the 1713 reconstruction by Bell. The font is from St Margaret's of King's Lynn. Bell had died in 1711, two years before the work was completed. It is a Grade I listed building. In the 19th century the rectorship was "in the gift" of Trinity College, Cambridge and the banker, Daniel Gurney. Appointments as rector included the astronomer, Nevil Maskelyne
Nevil Maskelyne
The Reverend Dr Nevil Maskelyne FRS was the fifth English Astronomer Royal. He held the office from 1765 to 1811.-Biography:...
, and the chemistry professor, Joseph Cumming.