Reedham, Norfolk
Reedham is a village and parish in Norfolk. It is on the north bank of the River Yare, 12 miles (19 km) east of Norwich, and 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south-west of Great Yarmouth. The parish includes a significant area of nearby marshland, together with the famously isolated settlement of Berney Arms.
The village's name means 'reedy homestead/village' or 'reedy hemmed-in land'.
Before the draining of the marshes towards Great Yarmouth, Reedham was a coastal village, which in Roman times was said to included a lighthouse. Fragments of Roman brick and stone can be found in the north wall of the parish church of St. John the Baptist. The church was constructed around 1100, and the tower was added in the mid 15th century, the result of bequests. A fire in 1981 gutted the church, which has been restored. Reedham is one of the oldest recorded religious establishments in Norfolk. Records show that a church, founded by Bishop Felix of Dunwich, stood on the site present church in the 7th. century.
As a seat of the kings of East Anglia, King Edmund is said to have lived in Reedham. Ledend says that the Danish prince, Ragnor Lothbroc, landed in the village during a storm. He was murdered by one of Edmunds servants, and this led to the 20,000 strong Danish Viking invasion of England and the martyrdom of Edmund in 870.
The Fastolf family, whose most celebrated member was Sir John Fastolf, are recorded at Reedham from the 13th. century. During the last decade of his life Fastolf was a close political ally and friend of John Paston. Fastolf's deathbed testament naming Paston as his executor and heir led to many years of litigation. Paston's wife Margaret (c.1421 to 1484), was the writer of 104 of the 'Paston Letters', Most of the Paston letters and associated documents are now in the British Library, but some are in Oxford and Cambridge. Margaret gave money, along with Thomas Berney, for the building of the church tower. She is said to have lived in Reedham, but this may not be true.
Reedham Ferry, a chain ferry to the west of the village, is the only road crossing point on the River Yare between Norwich and Great Yarmouth. There has been a crossing at Reedham since the early 17th. century.
This metal sign is on the quay beside the River Yare. There is an older wooden sign with the same design close to the village school.
The sign shows a woman with the church of St. John the Baptist in the background. Some say the woman is Margaret Paston but it could also be a member of the Berney family, who have a much stronger link to Reedham than the Pastons.
On the woman's left is a Viking longship and on her right a Norfolk Wherry with Polkey's Mill in the background. On the spandrels are the crests of the Hatton family, left, and the Berney Family, right.
The two birds represent wildlife often seen on the marshes. The brickworks and feathers may represent industries or occupations from Reedham's past.
Reedham, Norfolk
Reedham is a village and parish in Norfolk. It is on the north bank of the River Yare, 12 miles (19 km) east of Norwich, and 7.5 miles (12.1 km) south-west of Great Yarmouth. The parish includes a significant area of nearby marshland, together with the famously isolated settlement of Berney Arms.
The village's name means 'reedy homestead/village' or 'reedy hemmed-in land'.
Before the draining of the marshes towards Great Yarmouth, Reedham was a coastal village, which in Roman times was said to included a lighthouse. Fragments of Roman brick and stone can be found in the north wall of the parish church of St. John the Baptist. The church was constructed around 1100, and the tower was added in the mid 15th century, the result of bequests. A fire in 1981 gutted the church, which has been restored. Reedham is one of the oldest recorded religious establishments in Norfolk. Records show that a church, founded by Bishop Felix of Dunwich, stood on the site present church in the 7th. century.
As a seat of the kings of East Anglia, King Edmund is said to have lived in Reedham. Ledend says that the Danish prince, Ragnor Lothbroc, landed in the village during a storm. He was murdered by one of Edmunds servants, and this led to the 20,000 strong Danish Viking invasion of England and the martyrdom of Edmund in 870.
The Fastolf family, whose most celebrated member was Sir John Fastolf, are recorded at Reedham from the 13th. century. During the last decade of his life Fastolf was a close political ally and friend of John Paston. Fastolf's deathbed testament naming Paston as his executor and heir led to many years of litigation. Paston's wife Margaret (c.1421 to 1484), was the writer of 104 of the 'Paston Letters', Most of the Paston letters and associated documents are now in the British Library, but some are in Oxford and Cambridge. Margaret gave money, along with Thomas Berney, for the building of the church tower. She is said to have lived in Reedham, but this may not be true.
Reedham Ferry, a chain ferry to the west of the village, is the only road crossing point on the River Yare between Norwich and Great Yarmouth. There has been a crossing at Reedham since the early 17th. century.
This metal sign is on the quay beside the River Yare. There is an older wooden sign with the same design close to the village school.
The sign shows a woman with the church of St. John the Baptist in the background. Some say the woman is Margaret Paston but it could also be a member of the Berney family, who have a much stronger link to Reedham than the Pastons.
On the woman's left is a Viking longship and on her right a Norfolk Wherry with Polkey's Mill in the background. On the spandrels are the crests of the Hatton family, left, and the Berney Family, right.
The two birds represent wildlife often seen on the marshes. The brickworks and feathers may represent industries or occupations from Reedham's past.