Walcott, Norfolk

Infobox UK place
official_name= Walcott
country= England
region= East of England
shire_district= North Norfolk
shire_county= Norfolk
civil_parish= Happisburgh CP
static_

static_image_caption =Walcott village sign.
population= 1,372 (parish, 2001 census)
population_density=
os_grid_reference=TG360320
latitude= 52.84083
longitude= 1.50302
post_town= NORWICH
postcode_area= NR
postcode_district= NR12
dial_code= 01692
constituency_westminster=
london_distance= convert|137|mi|km

Walcott is a small village within the civil parish of Happisburgh on the North Norfolk coast in England between Mundesley and Happisburgh [Ordnance Survey, Explorer Sheet 252, Norfolk Coast East, ISBN 9780319467268] . The name derives from the Celtic word Walecote, which means village by the wood. The village is 19.1 miles north east of Norwich, 11.9 miles south east of Cromer and 137 miles north east of London. The village lies 5.6 miles east of the town of North Walsham.

The village is the only point where the B1159 (the coast road) actually runs along the edge of the sea. This makes it a popular stopping off point for day-trippers and storm watchers.

History

"This section is adapted from [http://www.wilcox53.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm The Historic Happing Website] with permission [See Ticket#2008091010035136] ."

Geology, geography and climate

The geology and geography in the vicinity of Walcott have been shaped by past ice ages, sea incursions and rivers that have deposited material over the underlying chalk.

The last ice sheet left Norfolk around 16,000 BC allowing pine trees to colonise the region.

Between 10,000 - 6,000 BC the climate became warm and dry allowing alder, oak, elm & lime into the region [Murphy P, 'Pre-Norman vegetation changes and woodland clearance', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Witley Press: 20.] .

The increasing temperature caused the sea level to rise and around 5,000 BC the North Sea was first connected to the English Channel via a narrow strait. Eventually there were wide inter-tidal estuaries around Norfolk [Shennan I & Andrews J, 'Holocene land-sea interaction and environmental change around the western North Sea', 2000, Geological Society Special report number 166: 309.] , which started to deposit marine clay over the original peat in the Broadland area [Barringer C, 'Aspects of East Anglian Pre-History', 1984, Geo Books: 16.] .

Around 3000 BC the Norfolk coastline was roughly similar to today's outline [Shennan I & Andrews J, 'Holocene land-sea interaction and environmental change around the western North Sea', 2000, Geological Society Special report number 166: 295.] , although the local cliffs continued to erode [Steers J, 'The Coast-line of England and Wales', 1964, Cambridge University Press: 375/6.] . Some of the eroded material goes to form the sand bar, a few kilometres offshore, that runs parallel with the coastline and is a danger to local shipping.

During the Bronze Age (2,500 - 800 BC) the climate slowly became cooler although the sea level continued to rise and around 750 BC the sea started to breach the spits across the estuaries further south [Funnell B, 'Recent Geology', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Witley Press: 16.] . This resulted in Walcott becoming part of a large peninsula with numerous islands and waterways in the south and east. This peninsula would have made an ideal area for man to colonize with fresh water, fishing and reeds (for thatch) in the west, sea fishing in the east. The good farming land and its isolation would have offered some degree of defence.

From the Iron Age to the end of the Roman period (800 BC - 410 AD) the climate became wet and cold [Rainbird-Clarke R, 'East Anglia', 1960, London Press: 18.] and locally the sea level probably reached about 1.0m above today's average [Davis J, 'The Iron Age and Roman Periods', A Festival of Norfolk Archaeology, 1996, Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society: 21.] .

Around 500 AD (during the Anglo-Saxon period) spits of land further south started once again to exclude the sea from the local estuaries [Rainbird-Clarke R, 'East Anglia', 1960, London Press: 20.] and the inlets forming the peninsular began to 'dry out'. These natural barriers have subsequently been maintained by man to protect the farmland behind.

The coastal erosion in the vicinity has been estimated at an approximate rate of 1.0m per year [Personal comment by Professor C Vincent at the School of Environmental Science at the University of East Anglia.] and accounts for the loss of an approximate 2.0km wide strip of land since the Roman invasion of AD 43 as a result of which several medieval villages (eg Waxham Parva, Markesthorpe) disappeared into the sea [Steers J, 'The Coast-line of England and Wales', 1964, Cambridge University Press: 376 & 379.] .

Note: Details of the past vegetation and climate of the region have been determined from borehole logs (and pollen analysis) such as that at Ranworth Broad [Moss B, 'The Broads', 2001,Haper Collins: 51.] .

Prehistoric

The climate was very different during the Palaeolithic or Old Stone Age Era (pre 10,000 BC) as shown by the bones of elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, hyena, etc found in East Anglia [Robinson B, 'Norfolk Origins 1: Hunters to first Farmers', 1981, Acorn editions: 11.] . However, it is considered that only intermittent human occupation occurred at this time [Wymer J, 'The Palaeolithic Period', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Witley Press: 22.] . The majority of the artefacts recorded in the vicinity of Walcott from this period were flint hand axesCornford B, 'Medieval Flegg', 2002, Larks Press.] , which suggests forest clearance.

Little activity is noted in the vicinity during the Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age Era (10,000 BC - 5,000 BC) with few artefacts recorded.

During the Neolithic or New Stone Age Era (5,000 BC - 2,500 BC) the majority of the artefacts found in the vicinity are concentrated on higher ground.

The number of Bronze Age (2,500 BC - 800 BC) artefacts recorded in the vicinity increases significantly from the Neolithic Era and possibly suggests an increase in the population. There is no natural copper or tin ore in Norfolk so all raw materials must have been imported, probably by trading.

Fewer artefacts dating from the Iron Age (800 BC - 43 AD), compared to Bronze Age, have been recorded in the vicinity. However, this could just reflect the fact that iron deteriorates faster than bronze. Certainly more Iron Age pottery has been recorded in the vicinity than Bronze Age pottery.

The Norfolk Iron Age tribe were called the Iceni and probably consisted of a group of smaller tribes, as in 54 BC Julius Caesar describes then as the Cenimagni - the Greater Iceni [Williamson T, 'The origins of Norfolk', 1993, Manchester University Press: 34-36.] . It is possible that east Norfolk (including Walcott) may have been occupied by one of these smaller (possibly poorer) tribes, which could explain the general lack of finds. Some historians consider that the west side of Norfolk was settled before the east side and that society underwent a progressive fragmentation during the Iron Age until around 60 BC when larger groups started to emerge [Davis J, 'The Iron Age and Roman Periods', A Festival of Norfolk Archaeology, 1996, Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society: 22 & 24.] .

Roman

The number of artefacts recorded in the vicinity increases significantly during the Roman occupation (43 AD - 410 AD) with a small concentration on high ground near Happisburgh and large concentrations around the Stalham/Ingham/Wayford area.

Of the datable Roman artefacts recorded in the vicinity, approximately 75% are 1st and 2nd century AD and 25% are 3rd and 4th century AD. This discrepancy may suggest a decline in Roman activity in the vicinity from around AD 200. The Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus records barbarians harassing Britain's east coast in AD 367 [Warner P, 'The Origins of Suffolk', 1996, Manchester University Press: 57.] .

Dark Ages

The vicinity shows economic recession and technological regression in the post Roman period. Grave goods found from this period strongly suggest a large influx of people from the Anglian region of Schleswig in north Germany/south Denmark (the Angles), confirmed by the Venerable Bede [Williamson T, 'The origins of Norfolk', 1993, Manchester University Press: 53.] .

During the Middle Saxon period (AD 650 - 865), the archaeological evidence in Norfolk changes (shortly after AD 700) and suggests that the region was arguably more Christian than pagan [Williamson T, 'The origins of Norfolk', 1993, Manchester University Press: 140.] .

Late Anglo-Saxon (865 - 1066) artefacts recorded in the vicinity are few in number but of high quality and are indicative of high status.

Viking forces first raided East Anglia in 865 [Williamson T, 'The origins of Norfolk', 1993, Manchester University Press: 105.] and it remained under Scandinavian control until 917 when the West Saxons re-conquered East Anglia. It is thought that this was the start of the system of Hundreds - areas of land containing approximately 100 families [Williamson T, 'The origins of Norfolk', 1993, Manchester University Press: 106 & 129.] . Walcott is in the Happing Hundred.

Local place names often date from this period and can suggest past land use, people, features, etc. For example Walcott - Serf or Foreigner's cottage [Rye J, 'A popular guide to Norfolk place-names', 2000, Larks press: various.] .

The cutting of peat that resulted in the formation of the Broads is thought to have started around AD 900. This practice may have been introduced by the Angles and could indicate the scarcity of firewood at the time [Green C, 'Broadland fords and causeways', 1961, Norfolk Archaeology number 32: 316 - 331.] .

Medieval

"Moving from the Dark Ages into the medieval period, documentary evidence takes precedence over archaeological evidence."

Before the Norman Conquest Walcott was held by Eadric de Laxfield. There were 4 carucates and 6 acres (about 486 acres) of (arable) land, 8 villagers and 16 smallholders. The lord had 2 ploughs and there were 2 other ploughs. There were 8 acres of meadow, 1 mill, 3 cattle, 4 pigs & 80 sheep. There was a church with 20 acres. There were 7 freemen with 70 acres and 2 ploughs, and there were 5 other ploughs. The value of the manor was 40 shillings. South Erpingham Hundred held 3 freemen in Walcott with 90 acres and 3 ploughsLittle Domesday Book, fol 260b, 261a & 279b.] .

Eadric was a major Thane (noble) at that time, based at Eye in Suffolk, with numerous manors and lands in Norfolk, Suffolk and Wiltshire. Whilst some historians consider him to have been Danish, as depicted on the village sign at Happisburgh, all (admittedly slender) evidence relating to his origin suggests that he was English.

Immediately after the Conquest Walcott was given to Robert Malet who died before the Domesday Survey of 1088 when it was granted to Ralph (Ranulf), brother of Iger and held by Humphrey, possibly his nephew. There were 4 carucates and 6 acres of land with 3 ploughs, 8 villagers & 16 smallholders. 2 other ploughs, 8 acres of meadow, 1 mill, 2 cobs (horses), 16 cattle, 24 pigs, 70 sheep & 4 beehives. 1 church with 20 acres, 7 freemen with 70 acres, 5 other ploughs. Another 4 freemen with 90 acres. The value of the manor was 60s. South Erpingham Hundred held 3 freemen in Walcott with 2.5 ploughs [Morris J, 'Domesday Book Norfolk', 1984, Phillimore: various.] . As only men were recorded in the survey, and assuming each man had a wife and 2.4 children, the approximate population of Walcott in 1088 was around 170.

The eponymous de Walcott family were Lords of the Manor of Walcott from about the late 1100s until about the late 1300s.

The church at Walcott is dedicated to All Saints and dates from the middle 1300s. The Font is 13th century [Pevsner N, 'The Buildings of England - northeast Norfolk and Norwich', 1962, Penguin: 336.] . The font stands on a Celtic limestone memorial slab and both are from an earlier church, the foundations of which may have been discovered in a nearby garden [Walcott church guide.] .

During the rein of King Edward I (1239-1307), the church was valued at 20 marks (£13 6s 8d) per year [Armstrong, 'The history of Norfolk', 1781, Crouse - Norwich.] and the Peter pence was 20d.

Originally there were two Halls in Walcott, East Hall and West Hall. William Faden's map of Norfolk dated 1797 shows Walcott Hall but unfortunately it is not entirely clear if this is West or East Hall. However between 1386 & 1486, there is note of a manor called 'Masons' in Walcott [Public Record Office reference: C1/27/135.] .

The de Engain family of Brumstead and Walcott is first noted in 1404 when Thomas de Engain married Margaret, daughter of John Ellis of Great Yarmouth [Rye W, "Norfolk Families volume II", 1792, Norris Collection, NRO ref: Rye II: 104.] . In 1405, he passed the manor of West Hall to Lord Willoughby and hence West Hall was united to East Hall in Walcott [Blomefield F, 'An essay towards a topographical History of Norfolk', volume 9, 1808, London: 350.] .

In 1360 the Stapleton family of Ingham established a college of Friars of the order of the Holy Trinity and St Victor to serve Ingham and Walcott. Originally it consisted of a Prior, a Scariest (who acted as Vicar and lived above the porch) and two brethren. The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and was rebuilt in 1360, the Chancel dates from the 1340s and the Font is 13th century. There is a monument to Sir Oliver de Ingham and Lord & Lady de Boys, there was a brass of Sir Miles Stapleton and his wife [Pevsner N, 'The Buildings of England - northeast Norfolk and Norwich', 1962, Penguin: 176.] .

To help pay for a crusade in the Holy Land, in 1254 a special tax was introduced called the Norwich Tax. For Walcott the figures were 25 marks (£16 13s 4d) (the Prior of Bromeholm's portion was £1 0s 0d) [Norfolk Archaeology, volume XVII, 1910: 110.] .

Between 1250 and 1350, manorial accounts from Lessingham suggest that the main agriculture in the vicinity was about 50% Barley, 20% Legumes, 15% Wheat and the remaining 15% was Rye, Oats and mixed grain. Livestock consisted of about 55% cattle, 30% sheep and the remaining 15% was horses, oxen and pigs [Campbell B, 'Medieval arable and pastoral husbandry', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Witley Press: 50.] .

The Nomina Villarum was a list of lords in 1316 (86) ans shows that Peter Roscelyn & Alexander de Walcott held Lordships in Walcott [Blake W, 'Norfolk Manorial Lords in 1316', Norfolk Archaeology, volume 30, 1952: 277 & 8.] .

In order to pay for another crusade in the Holy Land, an assessment of tax was made of individual parishes in 1334, which gives an idea of the comparative wealth of each parish and any changes since the Norwich Taxation of 1254. For Walcott the amount was £6 0s 0d [The Reverend Hudson, 'The assessment of the townships of the country of Norfolk for the King's tenths and Fifteenths as settled in 1334', Norfolk Archaeology, volume 12, 1895: 267.] .

The Black Death arrived in Norfolk in the spring of 1349 and spread up the river valleys from Yarmouth [Cornford B, 'Medieval Flegg', 2002, Larks Press: 138.] , suggesting that it arrived by ship and was spread by river craft. In the autumn of 1349, the harvest in the vicinity brought in less than half the usual amount of corn [Cornford B, 'Medieval Flegg', 2002, Larks Press: 141.] .

High inflation followed the Black Death as a result of the reduction in the population and the King responded by legally forcing wages down and imposing a Poll (or head) Tax. Needless to say this was very unpopular and there were rebellions in the vicinity (the so-called Peasant's Revolt). Bromholm Priory was attacked and documents were destroyed in June 1381 [MacDonald, 1984: 9.] . Eventually the uprising was crushed and in July of 1381 a commission was appointed to deal with the insurgents in Norfolk and Suffolk [Public Record Office at Kew reference: KB 9/166/1.] . There is evidence from their enquiry of the work of a Martham stonemason in Walcott and Ingham between 1440 & 1470 [Fawcett R, 'Medieval Masons', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Witley Press: 58.] .

Post Medieval

Most parish registers start shortly after the medieval period [Palgrave-Moore P, 'Parish registers', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Norfolk Museums Service: 92.] and in 1603 an incomplete list of church communicants for each parish was compiledBlomefield F, 'An essay towards a topographical History of Norfolk', volume 9, 1808, London: 290-351.] . For Walcott the parish registers start in 1558 and there were 110 communicants in 1603. This suggests that Walcott had had an increase in population since 1088.

In August 1797, William Faden published the first comprehensive map of Norfolk that included Walcott. It is not completely to scale but is roughly correct [Rutledge E, 'Kett's Rebellion', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Norfolk Museums Serves: 98.] .

In 1830 there was another rebellion due to the introduction of new farming techniques and machinery that put men out of work. The 'Swing riots' were so called because farmers would receive threatening letters signed by a 'Captain Swing', whose identity has never been determined. Farm machinery in Walcott was destroyed [Wade-Martins S, 'The riots of 1830', An Historical Atlas of Norfolk, 1998, Norfolk Museums Service: 126.] .

From the Whites Trade Directory dated 1845, Walcott had a population of 172 and 685 acres of land. S. Bignold was lord of the manor. Robert Atkinson was High Constable. There was a Shopkeeper & Smith, a Wheelwright, John Warner ran the Light House Public House and there were seven Farmers [Whites directory of Norfolk, copies held at the Norfolk Records Office.] .

Village amenities

The village has a parish church (All Saints, 14th - 15th century), 2 shops (one incorporating a sub-post office), several restaurants and pubs, a caravan site and an infant school.

There is access to the beach via:
* Walcott Gap, a wooden slipway that runs from the road to the sand and which can accommodate cars or tractors, and trailers, allowing for the launching of small craft including local fishing boats.
* Steps set into the sea defences at several points along the sea front.

Public transport

There is an infrequent bus service through the village connecting it to North Walsham via a circular route [ [http://www.sanderscoaches.com/timetables/34and35.htm Sanders Bus Services route 34] ] .

The nearest railway station is at North Walsham for the Bittern Line which runs between Cromer and Norwich.

The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport.

Floods

North Sea flood of 1953

The area suffered greatly in the North Sea Flood of 1953 and much of the village was lost to the sea along with neighbouring Keswick.

North Sea flood of 2007

On November 10 2007 a storm surge hit the East Anglian coast. The sea wall in the village was breached by 12 ft waves. Property was damaged and boats and caravans were blown across the coast road. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/weather/Story/0,,2208810,00.html Guardian news item] ]

References

External links

* [http://norfolk-guide.co.uk/2006/walcott-and-all-saints-church/ Norfolk Guide - Walcott]
* [http://www.wilcox53.freeserve.co.uk/WALCOTT%20CHRONOLOGY.htm A chronology of Medieval Walcott]
* [http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Walcott.html Roll of Honour]
* [http://www.frithphotos.com/archive/england/norfolk/walcott+on+sea/walcott+on+sea.htm Old photographs]