Round-tower church - Citizendia

Round-tower churches are a type of church found mainly in England, almost solely in East Anglia; of about 185 surviving examples in the country, 124 are in Norfolk, 38 in Suffolk, 6 in Essex, 3 in Sussex and 2 each in Cambridgeshire and Berkshire. Bruisyard is a village on the River Alde in the county of Suffolk, England. Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland East Anglia is often used as a shorthand for the Kingdom of the East Angles. Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom. Suffolk (ˈsʌfək is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common Sussex is a historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. History Cambridgeshire is noted as the site of some of the earliest known Neolithic permanent settlement in the United Kingdom, along with sites at Fengate Berkshire (ˈbɑːkʃə or /ˈbɑːkʃɪə/ say Baak-shuh/-sheer sometimes abbreviated to Berks) is a Home County in the South There is evidence of about twenty round-tower churches in Germany, of similar design and construction to those in East Anglia. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Countries with at least one round-tower church include Andorra, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Poland and South Africa. Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra ( Catalan: Principat d'Andorra) is a small Landlocked country in western The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

The distinctive feature of these churches is, of course, their round towers. The reason for their construction – mostly by the Saxons – is a matter of dispute. For their language see Anglo-Saxon language. Anglo-Saxon is the term usually used to describe the invading Tribes in the south Suggested explanations include the following:

Round-tower churches are found in areas lacking normal building stone, and are therefore built of knapped flint. Flint (or flintstone) is a hard sedimentary Cryptocrystalline form of the Mineral Quartz, categorized as a variety of Chert Corners are difficult to construct in flint, hence the thick, round walls of the towers.
The churches are found in areas subject to raids from, for example, the Vikings, and were built as defensive structures, churches being added later. A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas In fact, however, the towers are generally too short to have been of much use defensively, and the towers were often added to existing churches, having flat walls where they joined the main structure.
In 937 King Athelstan (924–939), the first King of all England, decrees that a bell tower be built on the land of every thane; an existing trend of building bell towers on to existing churches was thus accelerated. Events By Place Europe Battle of Brunanburh: King Athelstan of England defeats the Viking king of A Tower which contains one or more bells or which is obviously designed to hold bells (even if it has none is a bell tower. A thegn or thane was an attendant servant retainer or official in Early Medieval Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon culture.

Many other (less likely) explanations are offered in communities containing the churches, including appeals to ancient stone circles and the remains of wells.

Round-tower churches should not be confused with similarly shaped structures such as the Celtic round towers found in Ireland and Scotland, or with round churches, which have a circular plan and are often found in Denmark or Sweden. Celts (ˈkɛlts or /ˈsɛlts/, see Names of the Celts Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. A round church is a special type of church construction having a completely circular plan The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation.

1 List of Round Tower Churches in England
2 Sources
3 External links

List of Round Tower Churches in England

Berkshire

Cambridgeshire

Bartlow, St Mary
Snailwell

Norfolk

Suffolk

Sources

Round Tower Churches Society
Focus on Round Tower — by John Worrall
W. Great Shefford (or West Shefford) is a Village and Civil parish in the English county of Berkshire. Welford is a Village and Civil parish in the English county of Berkshire, situated in the valley of the River Lambourn to the north Bartlow is a village and Civil parish in the South Cambridgeshire district of Cambridgeshire, England, about south-east of Cambridge Acle is a small Market town on the River Bure on The Norfolk Broads in Norfolk. Ashmanhaugh or Ashmanaugh is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk, situated some 20 km north east Aslacton is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Bagthorpe with Barmer is a Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Bawburgh is a village and Civil parish in the South Norfolk district of Norfolk, England, about 5 miles west of Norwich city centre Beachamwell is a village and Civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England. Bedingham is a village and Civil parish in the South Norfolk district of Norfolk, England, about 11 miles (18 km south of Norwich Ashmanhaugh or Ashmanaugh is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk, situated some 20 km north east Bexwell is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Brampton is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, in the Bure Valley, east of Aylsham. Brandiston is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about five miles south-west of Aylsham. The church of Breckles St Margaret is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Brooke is a village and Civil parish in the South Norfolk district of Norfolk, England Burgh Castle is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Brancaster is a Village and Civil parish on the north coast of the English County of Norfolk. Burnham Norton is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Bylaugh (pronounced bilɑ) is a village and Civil parish in the Breckland district of Norfolk, England, about 6 miles north-east of Clippesby is a small village in Eastern England within the Great Yarmouth Borough Council area Norfolk; located on the B1152 and surrounded by the Norfolk Cockley Cley is a village in Norfolk, England. Its church All Saints is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Colney is a village in the western outskirts of Norwich in Norfolk, England. Cranwich is a small village in Norfolk, England, about 2 miles north west of Mundford. Croxton is a village and Parish in Norfolk, England, north of Thetford. Denton, is a Village in the county of Norfolk, England. As of 2001 it had a population of 352 Dilham is a village (population 301 on the River Ant just of the A149 road, near Stalham in Norfolk England within The Broads National East Lexham is a Hamlet within the Civil parish of Lexham in the English county of Norfolk. East Walton is a village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Mary is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Eccles Road railway station is a rural railway station in the English county of Norfolk. Edingthorpe is a small village in the county of Norfolk, England, about 10 miles south-east of Cromer. The church of Fishley St Mary is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Framingham Earl is a small village situated south of Norwich, in the English county of Norfolk. Freethorpe is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about eight miles south-west of Great Yarmouth. Morningthorpe is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Gayton Thorpe is a village and parish in Norfolk, England. Its church St The church of Geldeston St Michael is one of 124 Round-tower churches in Norfolk, England. Gissing (ˈɡɪsɪŋ is a village and Parish in Norfolk, England, about six miles north of Diss. Great Ryburgh is a Village (population 668 with Little Ryburgh in the English county of Norfolk. Gresham is a village in northern Norfolk in the United Kingdom, a few miles south-west of Cromer. Haddiscoe is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Hales is a small village in Norfolk, England. The church of Hales St Margaret is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk Langley with Hardley is a parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about a mile east of Loddon. Shelton and Hardwick is a Civil parish in South Norfolk, England made up of the villages of Shelton and Hardwick. Hassingham is a small village in the county of Norfolk, England, about ten miles east of Norwich. Haveringland is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about eight miles north-west of Norwich. Heckingham is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about a mile east of Loddon. Hellington is a small village in the county of Norfolk, England. Hemblington is a small Village and Parish in the County of Norfolk, England, about eight miles east of Norwich. Horsey is a small Village (population 99 in Norfolk England within The Broads National Park. Howe is a small village in South Norfolk, England. It is situated between Poringland, Brooke and Shotesham. Intwood is a small village in Norfolk, England, south west of Norwich. Keswick is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk, situated some 3 miles (4 Kilverstone is a small village in Norfolk, England, east of Thetford. Kirby Cane is a village and Civil parish situated two miles (3 Letheringsett is a village in the English County of Norfolk. It forms part of the civil parish of Letheringsett with Glanford along with the hamlet of Little Plumstead is a small Village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about six miles east of Norwich. Little Snoring is a village and a civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Long Stratton is a civil parish in South Norfolk, in the East of England UK. Matlaske is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about five miles north-west of Aylsham. Merton is a village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Peter is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Morningthorpe is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Morton on the Hill is a small but scattered village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about eight miles north-west of Norwich. Moulton St Mary is a small village in the county of Norfolk, England, about two miles south of Acle. Needham is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Peter is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Norton Subcourse is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about 9 miles south-west of Great Yarmouth. Old Catton is a suburban village (population 5954 to the north-east of Norwich, England. Poringland is a village found in the constituency of South Norfolk, England. Potter Heigham is a Village and Civil parish on the River Thurne in the English county of Norfolk. Quidenham is a small rural Village and Civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. Raveningham is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about 13 miles south-east of Norwich. Repps with Bastwick is a Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Rockland St Peter is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Rollesby is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Roughton is a village and a Civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. Roydon is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about a mile west of Diss. Runhall is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church All Saints is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. The church of Rushall St Mary the Virgin is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Sedgeford is a small village with about 600 inhabitants on its electoral roll Seething is a small village in Norfolk, England, about 9 1/2 miles south east of Norwich. Shereford is a small village in the English county of Norfolk. Burston and Shimpling are small villages and form a united parish in the county of Norfolk, England. For the aircraft see Boulton Paul Sidestrand Sidestrand is a village and a Civil parish in the English county of Norfolk Somerton is a Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. It comprises the twin Villages of East Somerton and West South Pickenham is a small village in the Breckland district of mid Norfolk, East Anglia, England. Stockton is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Michael is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Stody is a village and a Civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. Surlingham is a village and civil parish in South Norfolk situated on The Broads. Sustead is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about four miles south-west of Cromer. Swainsthorpe is a village in Norfolk, England. It lies about 5 miles south of Norwich. Syderstone is a village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Mary is one of 124 Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Thorpe Abbotts is a village in southern Norfolk, England. Its church All Saints is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Haddiscoe is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Alby with Thwaite is a Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Titchwell is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Topcroft is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Margaret is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. Tuttington is a village is located in the Civil parish of Burgh and Tuttington in the English county of Norfolk. Wacton is a village in the English county of Norfolk. It is located about one mile south-west of Long Stratton. Weeting is a village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Mary stands close to Weeting Castle, and is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches Welborne is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church All Saints is one of 124 existing Round-tower churches in Norfolk. West Dereham is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. West Lexham is a Hamlet within the Civil parish of Lexham in the English county of King’s Lynn]] for the [[Fen Line]] which runs between [[King’s Lynn]] Wickmere is a small village and parish in the county of Norfolk, England, about five miles north-west of Aylsham. Woodton is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Worthing is a small village in Norfolk, England. Its church St Wramplingham is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Yaxham is a Village and Civil parish in the English County of Norfolk. Aldham is a village and Civil parish in the Babergh district of Suffolk, England. Barsham ( is a village and Civil parish in the Waveney district of Suffolk, England, with a population of 218 (2001 census Beyton is a village and Civil parish in the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk, England. Bramfield is a small village in the county of Suffolk, England. Brome is a small village in Suffolk, England. Its church St Mary is one of 38 existing Round-tower churches in Suffolk. Bruisyard is a village on the River Alde in the county of Suffolk, England. Frostenden is a small village in Suffolk, England. Its church All Saints is one of 38 existing Round-tower churches in Suffolk. Gisleham is a Hamlet (place in Suffolk, England situated in an attractive rural area between Carlton Colville and Kessingland. Halesworth is a small market town (population of around 6000 in the north east corner of Suffolk, England. Hasketon is a small village in Suffolk, England. Its church St Herringfleet is a small Village on the River Waveney, between Somerleyton and St Higham is a small village in Suffolk, England. Its church St Stephen is one of 38 existing Round-tower churches in Suffolk. This article is about the village also known as Holton St Peter Ilketshall St Andrew belongs to The Saints Suffolk, a group of villages near the border with Norfolk. Ilketshall St Margaret is one of 38 existing Round-tower churches in Suffolk. Little Bradley is a small village in Suffolk, England. According to Eilert Ekwall the meaning of the village name is the wide clearing Little Saxham is a small village in Suffolk, England. The village appears as Sexham in the Domesday Book and as Saxham Parva in Mettingham is Village in Suffolk, England, close to the border with Norfolk. Mutford is a small village and Civil parish outside Carlton Colville in Suffolk, England. Onehouse is a small village in the English County of Suffolk, about 3 miles from the centre of Stowmarket. Ramsholt is a small village in Suffolk, England. It is situated on the northern shore of the River Deben. Rickinghall Inferior is a Civil parish in the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk, England. All Saints South Elmham belongs to The Saints Suffolk, a group of villages near the border with Norfolk. Stuston is a small village in the county of Suffolk, England close to the border with Norfolk, England. Syleham is a small village next to the River Waveney in Suffolk, England, about six miles east of Diss. Weybread is a village in Suffolk, England. Its church St Andrew is one of 38 existing Round-tower churches in Suffolk. Wortham is a village and Parish in Suffolk, England. Its church St Mary The Virgin lies about a mile north of the village J. Goode, Round Tower Churches of South East England (Round Tower Churches Society)
Lyn Stilgoe and Dorothy Shreeve, The Round Tower Churches of Norfolk, Canterbury Press, Norwich; ISBN 1-85311-448-0

External links

Round tower churches "fan site" in English and German

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