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

The Parish

The parish of Horham lies in northern Suffolk not too far from the county's border with neighbouring Norfolk. Horham is located roughly 2 miles southwest of the small town of Stradbroke and sits on the winding B1117 road which links Eye with Halesworth. Horham has an "L" shaped profile formed as the B1117 performs one of its many right-angled turns during its course, properties line that road incoming from the west and when it straightens once more to head east a further set lie along a southerly lane headed for Worlingworth. Like most Suffolk parishes Horham was intensely arable with the majority of the land used for growing cereals and other high value crops, a few pastures would have lined the small brook which heads towards Hoxne. Horham's only influence from modern times was the creation of its World War II airbase home initially for US air forces then by the 95th Bomber Group whose museum lies on the site. That small group drains the parish northwards reaching the River Dove immediately before that river runs into the Waveney, which forms the county border. The Waveney takes an eastwards course before meeting with the Broads rivers to enter the North Sea the Norfolk port of Great Yarmouth. Horham is sited around 50 metres above the sea in generally flattish terrain, the 60 metres contour is broken near Worlingworth as the highest ground around. Horham parish covered a little over 1,400 acres making it typical for the area, that acreage would have supported a population of around 450 parishioners. In Domesday times rather astonishingly Horham had sufficient population to place it amongst the top 20% echelon, it was shared by no fewer than 7 landholders and had collective assets of 13 ploughs backed by substantial meadows & woodland.

The Church

The B1117 has a short north to south run through the heart of the village, St Mary stands on the eastern side of this temporary course. Like most churches St Mary has a range of periods shown within its fabric each recording the fashions of their day. Like many churches the doorways to north and south are the oldest fabric remaining, 12th century from the Norman period. Of the main body the contrasting exteriors mirrors their differing ages, the nave has a 12th century core but was restored in late medieval times and has overlays of Perpendicular styling, the western door is also of similar vintage. By way of contrast the chancel is Victorian rebuilt between 1879 & 1881. The dating of the western tower can be more precise as it features in will bequests between 1490 & 1513, the height of the Perpendicular period, despite this it has throwback Decorated style bell-openings contrasting with typical 15th century battlements. Beyond the chancel rebuild the Victorian restoration would have appeared to have been light. Whilst the B-road is mostly quiet the best parking is at the northern end of the site where a side road provides space for a car or two, the churchyard has a small wooden gate for entry. The tower is rather too close to the road and hedging for fine views but from the favoured aspects the landscape view is unaffected by obstacles.