Site of medieval church, Thunderley, Wimbish (EHER 1948)

Church and alleged deserted Medieval settlement. The church was documented as ruined by 1425, its dedication is unknown. Field investigations in 1969 and 1989 found the site indicated by a scatter of building debris. The deserted settlement has been identified from aerial photograph. No traces were found on the ground.

Site of Thunderley Church. This church stood to the west of the road from Thaxted to Saffron Walden, by 1482 it had fallen into decay. The parish of Thunderley was joined to Wimbish and the church left to fall into ruins until by 1861 every particle of the church had disappeared and corn grew over the site. <1> - <2> NRHE data transfer: The church, apparently without aisles, was about 66ft long, with a west towner and south porch. It was wholly decayed by 1425 and the site is indicated by a sinking in the turf and a scatter of tile, flint and stone. <3> <4> Listed as Thunderley DMV at TL 560358, there are faint marks visible on APs. <5> <6> 1969. Field survey. The site of the church is indicated by a scatter of building material at TL 56053583 on the summit of a hill at present under young crop. <7> Thunderley Church (dedication unknown) became redundant in 1425 when the parish was combined with Wimbish. The demolition of the church probably followed soon after. The site is now arable, with a rubble scatter. Domesday Book records a priest here in 1066. <8> 1989. Field survey. The site of the church TL 56053 35832 was under crop at the time of investigation. The location was confirmed by the farmer who still ploughs building debris from the position indicated. No evidence was seen for the medieval village. <9>