Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/530

360 NOTICES OF REMAINS OF SAXON work, especially in remote villages, is more common tlian is generally supposed. The first of these to which I beg to call attention, is part of the north and west walls of the church of St. Margaret, at Witton, near North Walsham. But, before entering upon a description of it, I will mention that in this and other parishes to which I shall have occasion to refer, it is recorded in Domesda}'^ that Saxon churches were in existence at the time the survey was made, and the shortness of the interval between the survey and the enlarge- ment of these churches, which took place in the early English period, renders it improbable that there should have been intermediate structures. It is possible, however, that the Saxon churches in question were constructed of wood, and might have been pulled down and replaced by more substantial fabrics in the Norman era, and afterwards altered and enlarged in the early English, The peculiar features, therefore, of the buildings them- selves, with respect to form and material, must be regarded as the only legitimate criteria of their date. The accompanying representation of St. Margaret's Church, Witton, shows a quoining of rough native carr-stone, which marks the extent of the original nave, about two-thirds the length of the present, or 39 feet. The quoinings of the south angle of the ancient west wall which remains, point out also the width of the nave, viz., 13 feet. The height of the original wall is shown by the tier of perpendicular clerestory windows which has been added above, together with a large flat-headed window below. Above the north door (which is early English, and a subsequent insertion) are two small, round, double-splayed windows. This form of windows, I believe, may be regarded as the most dependable, if not infallible, characteristic of Saxon work. The continuation of the north wall of the nave and the chancel are also of the early English period, as the piscina, and priests' seats with the tooth-moulding prove. And it should also be remarked, that, whereas the round windows are of rubble and flint, the jambs and arches of the more recent doors and windows are of ashlar freestone. The round tower has been rebuilt, and the ancient south wall of the nave taken down to make room for an aisle. In the church of St. Andi'ew, Framlingham Pigot (of which