Literary Norfolk Header and Logo
 

Paston

Paston lies on the Norfolk coast between Walcott and Mundesley. The Paston family, who were responsible for The Paston Letters, took their name from the village.

John Paston (1421-1466) is buried in St. Margaret's Church in the village. At the far end of the chancel are a number of tombs belonging to members of the Paston family. The most spectacular is that of Katherine Paston (died 1628) which was carved by the sculptor Nicholas Stone. It also features an inscription by the poet John Donne. Beyond this lie two older table tombs  - the eastern one believed to belong to John Paston. It is likely that these tombs were moved from nearby Bromholm Priory (see Bacton) after it was dissolved by Henry VIII.

Paston Church

St. Margaret's Church, Paston

The Paston Letters are a fascinating account of life during the War of the Roses period detailing the family's life including: legal wrangles, castle sieges and mismatched marriages. The letters span three generations of the family and were written during the reigns of Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III.

Most of the letters were written by John and Margaret Paston (Margaret was the daughter of John Mautby - who lived at Mautby (near Great Yarmouth) and their two sons - both of whom were called John. There were also a number of letters written by William and Agnes Paston.

Three centuries later the letters were discovered at Oxnead Hall when the estate there was being sold and fortunately they found there way into the hands of the Norfolk historian Francis Blomefield.

Next to the church stands the magnificent thatched Paston Barn which was originally built in 1581 by Sir William Paston. The barn is the only remaining 'Paston' building in the village and is now home to a number of rare barbastelle bats. It is also the focus of activities run by the Paston Heritage Society.
 

Paston Tomb

Paston Family Tomb

Paston Tomb

Paston Family Tomb
 

Paston Barn

Paston Barn

Broomham Priory

Broomham Priory


Links:

More Paston Family Photographs

Read a Paston Letter

St. Margaret's Church

Paston Heritage Society

Search the Site

 

 
 

 

 

Supported by Norfolk County Council logoSupported by Norfolk Tourism

 
 

About Us | Poems by Cameron Self | Advertise on Literary Norfolk

©Cameron Self 2007                                                                                                                 Hosted by UK Web.Solutions Direct