A hundred years or so ago the number of parishes in Norfolk was reckoned as seven hundred and fifty-six, and of those in Suffolk as five hundred and twenty-three. The mere statement of these figures shows that it is impossible within the compass of a moderate volume even to name every object of interest in the two counties: I must impose strict limits upon myself, and lay down at the outset a few principles of procedure. The aim will be to call attention to the most beautiful or the most curious remains of old times, especially of mediæval times, that are to be seen, and to indulge in some explanation of them when that seems to be needed. Beauties of scenery—and these are not few—the seeing eye must find for itself; natural history cannot be studied by the passer-by—birds and plants must be observed at leisure—so there will be no natural history, about which, after all, I am not competent to write. Fragments of the human history of the region will crop up in connexion with particular places, and a little more will be told in a few brief prefatory chapters.

The plan that seems best is to take a number of centres and group about them notes on the neighbouring places which have something—usually buildings, and among buildings churches—of special interest.