England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Dunston St Remigius

The Parish

The parish of Dunston lies in southeastern Norfolk about 4 miles south of the city of Norwich. Dunston is located just off the A140 road which connects Norwich with Ipswich. There is not much to Dunston, a collection of farms and cottages built around the former estate of Dunston Hall, now an up-market country hotel & golf course. Most of Dunston's properties are either side of the narrow lane (Stoke Lane) which runs from the A140 across the River Tas to nearby Stoke Holy Cross. Prior to modern developments this area would have been largely agricultural but its proximity to the growing edge of the nearby city means that more semi-urban activities now predominate. Just a half-mile to Dunston's north (and across the Tas) lies the remarkable site of Roman Venta Icenorum which is believed to be the home of the almost legendary Boudicca. The Tas drains the parish and quickly heads north to join the Yare on the southern edge of Norwich before heading eastwards to reach the North Sea through the port of Great Yarmouth. Dunstan is sited at just 10 metres above the sea with local heights, outside the Tas valley, reaching some 20 - 30 metres higher. Dunston parish was tiny, even by the standards of Norfolk parishes, it covered just over 600 acres and the population was equally small just 100 parishioners. In Domesday times Dunstan was a much more significant settlement, significant enough to be held by 4 prominent Normans, Ralph of Beaufour, the steward Godric, Count Alan of Brittany & Roger bigot who all held a share in the assets. The parish could offer 13 ploughs, small meadows and 5 mills.

The Church

St Remigius', a French man and Bishop of Reims who converted the French Royals to Christianity, church sits to the east of Dunston Hall and in a secluded site off Stoke Lane. The church has been much renewed over the centuries and some parts Pevsner is quick to point out a fake versions of early styles rather than the real thing. What can be seen externally is a church which begins in the Early English Gothic period of the early 13th century, has had a major rebuild in the Perpendicular era and much alteration during the most recent 2 centuries. The external rendering, described as "awful" by Pevsner masks much detail but it is clear this is very much a restored if not over-restored building. The church sits to the west of Stoke Lane and a small pull-in marked by a sign provides parking and access, a long pathway through dense trees reaches the churchyard which is relatively free from obstacles to photography.