The Norman Church

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Gosberton.

The church building we see today has gone through a number of alterations and renovations, with some bits knocked down, added or rebuilt over the course of the passing centuries. Much of the fabric of the building we see today was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. 

However, on this site was an even earlier church the first phase of which was built, most likely, in the 12th century. This was in the historical period we call today Norman.

How big was the Norman church? 

See the accompanying plan.

The exact size and shape of the original Norman structure is not fully and unequivocally known. Our understanding is built up of those fragments of architectural evidence that have so far been identified in the structure today. 

When the church was re-floored in 1896, some earlier foundations were unearthed, which revealed that: 

• The southern wall of the church lies below the current southern pillars of the nave, and extended all the way east to the eastern end of the chancel. 
• The Nave was shorter than it is today; so the the western wall of the church in Norman times was further east. 
• The northern pillars of the Nave rest on earlier, Norman pillar bases. The North Aisle therefore did exist in Norman times. 

The jury is out as regards whether the North and South Transepts existed. However, we are sure there was no South Aisle, South Porch and Lady Chapel. 

As and when other architectural (or even documentary) evidence emerges, then our understanding of the size and shape of the Norman church can be reviewed and enhanced.