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Oxnead

Oxnead is a small village which lies on the River Bure - approximately 4 miles south-east of Aylsham. The name derives from the Old English for pasture for oxen.

Oxnead Hall was one of the homes of the Paston family. However, by 1732 this once great Norfolk family had declined and William Paston, Second earl of Yarmouth, was forced to sell the hall and estate to pay off debts. Among the effects left in the house were a great many letters relating to the family's affairs - dating back to the 15th Century. Fortunately these letters found their way into the hands of the Norfolk historian Francis Blomefield.

Oxnead Hall today

Most of the Paston Letters centre around Margaret Paston - either as writer or recipient - and provide a fascinating insight into the War of the Roses period. Many of the letters were written at Caister Castle which the family inherited (via a contested will) from Sir John Fastolf. Like Parson Woodforde's diary, the letters were not written with literary fame in mind - but purely to pass information and record daily events. Agnes Paston - who lived in the hall - was also one of the family letter writers.

Today only one wing of the original red-brick Tudor hall remains. However, a new hall has been built around this section and it is now the home of the photographer John Hedgecoe.

The church at Oxnead contains a number of memorials to members of the Paston family.

Oxnead Church

Sir Clement Paston's Tomb

Lady Katherine Paston's Tomb

The poet Michael Rivière (1919-1997) wrote a moving poem entitled On Lady Katherine Paston's Tomb at Oxnead in which he contemplated the demise of both Oxnead Hall and the Paston family.
 

We're not the tomorrow, alas,
Of this lady's wish; her treasures scattered for ever,
Her mansion now green mounds beside the river,
Not a Paston left to wear her flesh......
 
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St. Michael's Church

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