Bylaugh

History

Bylaugh's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, at in Domesday Book it is recorded as a settlement of 14 households in the hundred of Eynesford which was part of the estates of Alan of Brittany. The village appears to have been prosperous in to the 14th century, but had declined by the mid-15th century and was deserted at some point after this. No clear site for a deserted medieval village is known and there is no obvious reason for the decline of the settlement.

Bylaugh Hall, built of stone in 1851, and its estate are immediately north of the church. The hall was the headquarters of No. 100 Group RAF during World War II. Its flat (parapet) roof has "obelisks and heraldic beasts"; its gatepiers, farm-enclosing railings and gazebo are separately listed, as is a farmbuilding and clocktower. The house was stripped of its lead and interior fittings and abandoned in 1950. Restoration began in 2004.

Church of St. Mary the Virgin

Bylaugh's parish church is dedicated to Saint Mary and is one of Norfolk's 124 remaining round-tower churches. It is Grade I listed and was significantly re-built in 1809 by Charles Barry at the expense of Sir John Lombe who is buried in the chancel.

A plaque on the west side of the church states: The chancel of this church rebuilt, the North and South transepts added. The tower buttress, windows, roof and battlements substantially rebuilt and repaired. And the interior of this church and chancel fitted up at the sole expense of Sir John Lombe Bart. – Patron

Notes

References

References

1. [https://web.archive.org/web/20170211032229/https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/consumption/groups/public/documents/general_resources/ncc017867.xls Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes]. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Retrieved 20 June 2009.
2. Robertson D (2005) [https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?TNF217 Parish Summary: Bylaugh], Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
3. "Key to English Place-names".
4. "Bylaugh {{!}} Domesday Book".
5. [https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?mnf11524 Possible site of Bylaugh deserted medieval village], Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
6. Davison A (1996) ''Deserted villages in Norfolk'', p. 75. North Walsham: Poppyland Publishing. {{isbn. 0-946148-51-1
7. Bylaugh Hall - Grade II* - {{NHLE
8. Gatepiers, Railings, Gazebo - Grade II - {{NHLE
9. [https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?mnf3006 Bylaugh Hall], Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
10. "CHURCH OF ST MARY, Bylaugh - 1077392 {{!}} Historic England".
11. "Norfolk Churches".