The Crossing

This is the centre of the Saxon foundation. Norton is perhaps the only surviving Saxon cruciform church with a Tower between the Nave and Chancel, resting on piers connected by arches. 

The North and South arches remain in their original condition, though each lost its inner order of stonework about 1190, when the arches to East and West were rebuilt to accord with a wider chancel and a longer nave. 

There are four triangular-headed Saxon doorways, now glazed as windows, looking out over the roof of the church. These originally provided access to rooms over the nave, transepts and chancel, possibly in the roof-space of the Saxon high-pitched roofs. An example of Anglo-Saxon "knotwork" on the pillar near the Vicar’s stall was probably once part of a free - standing Saxon cross. A mason’s mark can be observed just below the arch on the North side of the tower.