St James, Norton

The Domesday Book of 1086 records a manor at Norton but not a church. The earliest parts of the building are Norman: the 11th-century inner doorway in the south porch and six corbels, evidently re-set, flanking it on the east and west walls of the porch. The arch over the doorway has zigzag moulding but is heavily restored. If the doorway is 11th-century, the claim by John Charles Cox (1843–1919) that Robert FitzRanulph (circa 1117–72) founded the church can be discounted. The church has a west tower, all but the top of which is Early English Gothic. Also Early English is the baptismal font inside the church. Much of the rest of the church is Perpendicular Gothic. The nave has north and…