Hampshire Minor Norman Churches

   Scattered around the county are many Norman churches, or churches retaining Norman elements.

Pamber
Fortunately surviving, albeit only represented by the chancel and tower is the Benedictine priory of Pamber, founded about 1100 by Henry de Port and dissolved by Henry VIII. The crossing tower stands on four arches, with three tall blank arches above, containing small windows. The chancel has lancet and circular windows, with three long slender stepped lancets at the east end.

Nately Scures
Also belonging to the de Port family, but far more humble, is the little 12th century church of St. Swithun's at Nately Scures. It is a perfect example of a single cell Norman aisleless church with an apsidal end. The only entrance is on the north side which has a beautifully decorated doorway. The outer arch is enriched with zigzag moulding, enclosing a trefoil head with two cusps. Unusually one capital is of a mermaid.

Hartley Mauditt
The 12th century church of St. Leonard's at Hartley Mauditt, delightfully situated by a large pond, is all that is left of the hamlet that once stood here in medieval times. It consists of a nave and chancel, with round headed windows and a decorated south doorway. The doorway of c.1200 is pointed and has a dogtooth decorated hood-mould with an arch of radially placed horseshoes. In the nave the single-step chancel arch is earlier Norman.

Stoke Charity
Also standing in isolation by a picturesque pond, is the church of St. Mary at Stoke Charity. There is a Norman nave and chancel and a reset north door with zig-zag decoration. Inside is an impressive Norman north arcade of two bays. The arches are round and plain, with octagonal pier and scalloped capital. The chancel arch is round, single-stepped with zig-zag decoration, the piers have reeded capitals.

 Kay Ainsworth

Bibliography

Pevsner, N., and Lloyd, D., 1967. The Buildings of England, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (London, Penguin), 273-4 (Hartley Mauditt), 343 (Nately Scures), 369-70 (Pamber), 613-4 (Stoke Charity)