St Mary's Church, Elsing, Medieval parish church in Elsing, England
St Mary's Church in Elsing is a medieval parish church built with flint walls and stone trim, featuring a wide nave without internal supporting columns. Its windows display curved tracery characteristic of the period's decorative style.
Sir Hugh de Hastings and his wife Margaret built the church around 1330, replacing an earlier structure already noted in the 1086 Domesday Book. This construction reflected the family's growing power and influence in the region.
The church holds one of England's largest brass monuments honoring Sir Hugh Hastings after his passing. The intricate craftsmanship of this memorial reflects the wealth and standing of the family who built the church.
The church serves as an active religious site holding regular services and welcomes visitors, often as part of group visits to nearby parishes. This allows travelers to experience worship in its traditional setting while connecting to neighboring communities.
The nave ranks among Norfolk's widest parish church interiors because it was built without internal supporting columns, creating an unusually open space. This engineering choice allowed the family to create a generous gathering space for their community.
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