Mileham
| Mileham | |
|---|---|
 The village sign, Mileham, Norfolk |
|
 Mileham
|
|
| Mileham shown within Norfolk | |
| Area | 11.66 km2 (4.50 sq mi) |
| Population | 563 (2011 census) |
| • Density | 48/km2 (120/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TF910190 |
| • London | 129 miles (208 km) |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | KING'S LYNN |
| Postcode district | PE32 |
| Dialling code | 01328 |
| Police | Norfolk |
| Fire | Norfolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Mileham is a village approximately midway between East Dereham and Fakenham in Mid Norfolk. The village sits astride the B1145Kings Lynn to Mundesley road that dissects Mid Norfolk west to east. It is the old coaching road from Kings Lynn to Norwich and then on to Great Yarmouth.
The name Mileham comes from the presence of a Mill ( The base of the last one can still be seen from the Litcham Road.)There is also a "Mill Farm" to the west of the village. Mileham is a linear village in 'High Norfolk', and is also a 'Conservation Village,' centred on Burwood Hall, The Church, The Castle, Park Farm, Old Hall Farm and Manor Farm.
There is a ruined Norman castle (now a nature reserve) near to the site of the Roman Camp and a fine church, St John the Baptist, with some rare stained glass windows.
The north tower, which functions as a portal was given by the church's patron Lord Fitzalan. The churchyard is typical of the country parish church, showing gravestones surrounding the building. A medieval tomb in the churchyard retains the remnants of a cross. The west window showing St.Catherine (wheel),St.John the Baptist (lamb) and St.Margaret (spearing dragon) is a rare extant example of stained glass of the decorated style. The window was also added by Lord Fitzalan. Colors of green, gold, olive, amber, as well as red and blue distinguish the complex canopies and figures. In the lower half of the window fragments of 15th-century glass include images of an unidentified female saint and St. Margaret.
The site of the original Saxon Village is in the field to the east of the church where the remains of Saxon ponds can be seen.
Mileham Castle (also referred to as " Hall Yards" on old maps) is one of the largest motte and bailey castles in Norfolk. It straddles the B1145, a pre-Conquest road that remained the main east-west route through the county until the 17th century. The castle was constructed in about 1100 and its remains form a surprisingly imposing monument consisting of a motte built up around the fragments of a stone keep, two baileys and a further banked rectangular enclosure to the north of the road, which now contains Burwood Hall (built in 1793) and farm buildings. A large wooded deer park was once attached to the south of the castle. The positioning of the castle astride the road is thought to have been connected with raising revenue from a possible market place in the northern enclosure and from tolls on travellers. It is probable that the castle had fallen out of use by about 1300, but before then the tall keep, probably whitewashed, when seen against the green wooded backdrop of the deer park, would have been an impressive sight.
...
Wikipedia