Ancient House Museum’s History of Thetford in 100 Objects
A carved stone which was once part of one of Thetford’s medieval buildings. Picture: Ancient House Museum - Credit: Archant
This month’s object is a carved stone. It once formed part of one of Thetford’s medieval buildings, possibly the Cluniac Priory by the river whose ruins are a popular attraction of the town.
Following the closing down of the monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII, the building stone became a kind of quarry for helping to construct or extend Thetford houses.
A number of pieces of re-used dressed limestone can be seen during a stroll around the town in places such as King’s House or on the Market Place.
This particular example was built into the rear of the Ancient House, now the Museum.
The limestone was imported to Thetford, probably from Barnack in Lincolnshire.
You may also want to watch:
It was found during building works in 2005-6 in a blocked doorway, now opened up, and clearly shows the marks of the stone-mason from some 800 years ago.
The museum is planning to use this piece in its forthcoming Handmade Exhibition which opens in December.
Most Read
- 1 Death of woman at country park being treated as 'isolated incident'
- 2 Seven months in prison for burglar who stole cash from church cafe
- 3 Town's country park remains closed after woman's body discovered
- 4 Murder suspect arrested after woman found dead at country park
- 5 Woman cut from car after crash on A11
- 6 Prince Philip's love of birds remembered at Thetford-based trust
- 7 Councillor accused of spreading 'damaging disinformation' on facemasks
- 8 Burger and Italian restaurant set to open at town's riverside complex
- 9 'We're lost without him' - Family's tribute to teen hit-and-run cyclist
- 10 Person hit by train between Norwich and Stansted