The village of Trunch in Norfolk boasts several fascinating attractions, with the oldest building being St. Botolph’s Church. Though mainly built in the 14th and 15th century, it is believed that some fragments of stone in the walls were reused from an earlier Saxon church. The church is known for its unique features, including a hammer beam roof and a rare Font Canopy, which is one of only four in the whole of England, and one of two in the county of Norfolk. The font canopy is a remarkable piece of woodwork, supported on six beautifully carved legs and featuring intricate carvings of animals and foliage. The medieval misericords (mercy seats) in the chancel, the carved pew ends, and the painted rood screen, with 12 niches painted with depictions of 11 disciples and St. Paul, add to the church’s beauty and historical significance.
Trunch is a large village located about 5 miles from the north Norfolk coast, renowned for its rural charm and historical attractions. The village features a lovely collection of cottages and a more modern Crossroads Inn, with St Botolph’s church located in the center. The church is early 15th century, built upon earlier foundations, and features a nave, 2 isles, and a chancel covered with lead. The tower has four bells, and the church is home to several gravestones, including that of Lancelotus Thexton cappellanus Regis Edw. VI. sacre theologie baccalaureus, et rector de Trunch obt. 25. Febr. 1588, and this shield of arms, quarterly, in the first and fourth a cross between four lions heads erased, gules, in the 2d and 3d, ermine, fretty, azure.
The lordship of Trunch belonged to William Earl Warren, who had 90 acres of land and 14 borderers under him. Trunch also belonged to the Earl Warren’s capital manor of Gimmingham, and paid suit and service to it. The village paid weekly mercate on Saturday in this manor, and it was valued at 10s per annum on the death of John Earl Warren, in the 21st of Edward III. The manor came to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and King Henry IV and is still part of the dutchy of Lancaster.
The church’s patronage was granted to the priory of Castleacre by William Earl Warren, the first on his founding that priory. The rector had a manse and 13 acres of land valued at 16 marks in the reign of Edward I, while the prior of Castleacre had a pension or portion of tithe valued at 40s. The present valor is 10l. 13s. 4d. and pays first fruits, &c. The Norwich registers say that William, the second Earl Warren, granted the patronage, and Eborard Bishop of Norwich confirmed it; and that Simon the Bishop confirmed the pension in 1268.
Trunch is one of Norfolk’s largest villages and has avoided industrialization and tawdry caravan sites by being several miles inland. This has helped preserve its great rural charm. It features a shop, a green, and a pub run by an ex-professional footballer. The church is perhaps the most interesting of all round about, with many fascinating treasures to explore. The village is located between North Walsham and the sea and has a fantastic collection of typical features found in the deepest rural Norfolk villages.
The church’s font canopy is the most remarkable piece of work, providing a glimpse into what the English renaissance might have looked like if it had been allowed to flower. The massive structure tumbles with intricacy, with fruit, flowers, leopards, and lions peeping around the silvery oak of the six octagonal columns, which are fluted with interlocking chains of detail. The glory of the canopy is the massive crown of canopied niches, with the haunting ghosts of crucifixion groups still apparent on three of the faces.
Trunch’s intriguing features, along with its outstanding beauty and historical significance, make it a must-visit while in Norfolk.