England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Aldeby St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Aldeby lies in the extreme southeast of Norfolk forming a stretch, here formed by the River Waveney, of the county's border with neighbouring Suffolk. Aldeby is sited roughly 3 miles northeast of the Suffolk market town of Beccles and sits about 2 miles east of the A143 road which links Beccles with Great Yarmouth. Aldeby sits on the northern edge of the Waveney's floodplain and is consequently rather linear in layout with properties lining a lane which borders wetter ground. This mixture of land-forms gave Aldeby a more varied economy than the usual typical arable of the area, there was that on drier ground but the grazing marshes and wetland bordering the river gave access to reed for thatching, fishing and wildfowling. As the river was navigable there would have been some transportation of local agricultural produce using the iconic Broads wherries. Sundry small drains and man-made channels lead water down to the Waveney which flows east and then northeast to reach the sea through the port of Great Yarmouth. Aldeby is sited at around 10 metres above the sea sufficient to keep it dry, land is gentle with higher points rising to 34 metres just north of nearby Gillingham. Aldeby parish was extensive for a Broadland parish covering just over 3,000 acres and supporting a population of close to 500 parishioners. Domesday Aldeby, held by Ralph de Beaufour, was a wealthy holding offering an impressive 19 ploughs backed by meadows and woodland and also holding a mill.

The Church

St Mary's church sits on the eastern side of the main lane running through the village and towards the southern end. The church has a documented early history as a priory church in c1100, it was the least important of 5 dependent upon Norwich. This early origin is reflected in its cruciform layout and more importantly in its early fabric. The church's western doorway is a good example of 12th century craftsmanship and imagination. Pevsner notes a lancet styled window in the northern wall of the nave and attributes this to the 12th century despite later restorations. Of a more definite date are the 13th century Early English Gothic areas, the northern transept being the  main fabric of this century. The central crossing tower has had a complex history, Pevsner accepts its 12th century origins but notes early 14th century motifs in the arches and the bell-stage from the Decorated era, the tower itself had to be rebuilt in 1633 a fact recorded by a crude etched message and further work has been regular up to the 20th century. The Decorated era is also reflected in the northern porch which Pevsner describes as "handsome". The church received a severe restoration in 1880 which has masked much detailing but at least has preserved the church for today. St Mary's Road passes the church and has places where parking may be found north of the site, wooden gates grant entry to a churchyard which has few significant obstacles for the photographer.