Fornham All Saints Facts for Kids

Signpost in Fornham All Saints

Quick facts for kids Fornham All Saints
Fornham All Saints
Population	1,160 (2011)
OS grid reference	TL837676
District	West Suffolk
Shire county	Suffolk
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Bury St Edmunds
Postcode district	IP28

Police	Suffolk
Fire	Suffolk
Ambulance	East of England

EU Parliament	East of England
List of places UK England Suffolk 52°16′36″N 0°41′29″E / 52.2767°N 0.6915°E / 52.2767; 0.6915

All Saints, the parish church of Fornham All Saints (2008)

Fornham All Saints is a small village in Suffolk, England. It is located in the West Suffolk area. The village is found north-northwest of the town of Bury St Edmunds. It is also very close to two other villages, Fornham St Genevieve and Fornham St Martin. All three villages are located near the River Lark.

The village sign for Fornham All Saints shows a helmet and crossed swords. These symbols remind everyone of two important battles that happened here long ago. Around the year 902, King Edward the Elder fought his cousin, Æthelwold ætheling, to keep his crown. Later, in 1173, King Henry II won a battle against the Earl of Leicester and a Flemish army. This was called the Battle of Fornham. Today, the village is much more peaceful. On an old map from 1610 by John Speed, it was called "Fernham omnium Sanctorum."

Ancient History of Fornham All Saints
Famous People and Places
All Saints Church
Village War Memorial
Gallery
See also

Ancient History of Fornham All Saints

There is proof that people lived here a very long time ago. Near a place called Pigeon Lane, archaeologists found signs of a small settlement from prehistoric times or the Roman period. They found traces of up to four hut circles, which were round homes.

Scientists also found marks in the ground from ancient causeways and trenches near the river. These were described as "major Neolithic ritual monuments." This means they were important places for ceremonies during the Stone Age.

Famous People and Places

The journalist and author Harold Begbie was born nearby in Fornham St. Martin in 1871.

The village has a pub called The Three Kings. It is on the western edge of the village. This pub offers food and places to stay. It is located where two roads, the A1101 and B1106, meet.

All Saints Church

The main church in the village is called All Saints Church. It is a very old building, listed as Grade I, which means it is very important historically. Parts of the church are from the 12th to 15th centuries. However, it was greatly repaired and changed in the Victorian period, around 1863-1864.

The church's south doorway is from the 12th century. The south porch was built in the 15th century. Inside, you can see beautiful wood carvings from the 15th century. These include designs on the roof and on eight pairs of old benches. The benches have carvings of animals on their armrests.

Village War Memorial

In Fornham All Saints, there is a war memorial. It is a stone cross made of Portland stone. This memorial remembers 13 people from the village who died in the World Wars of the 20th century.

Twelve people died in the First World War. One person died in the Second World War. The church has special "Rolls of Honour." These lists show the names of all the men and women from the village who served in these wars. In the First World War, 74 men from the village served. In the Second World War, 33 men and 9 women served. The church also has a "Debt of Honour Register." This book displays photographs and personal details of those who died.