Church of St Edward King and Martyr, Goathurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Edward King and Martyr |
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Goathurst |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°06′13″N 3°03′47″W / 51.1036°N 3.0630°W |
| Completed | 14th century |
The Church of St Edward King and Martyr is an old and important church in Goathurst, a village in Somerset, England. It was built a very long time ago, in the 14th century. This church is so special that it has been named a Grade I listed building. This means it's one of the most important historic buildings in England!
The Church of St Edward
This church has a long history. It was once part of the Royal Forest of North Petherton. This was a large area of land used for hunting by kings and queens. The first owner of the land, called a squire, also owned St Edward's church.
A Look Inside
Inside the church, you can find some interesting monuments. One is from the 19th century. It honors a three-year-old girl named Isabella Kemeys. The monument shows her lying on a pillow. She is holding a broken flower. This often symbolizes a life that ended too soon.
There are also monuments to the Kemeys-Tynte family. This family lived at Halswell House, a grand home nearby. These monuments tell stories of the people who lived in the area long ago.
Who Was Edward the Martyr?
The church is named after Edward the Martyr. This is a special dedication because it's not very common. Edward was a young Saxon king. He ruled England a very long time ago, in the 10th century.
Sadly, King Edward was murdered in 978. This happened at Corfe Castle in Dorset. His stepmother, Elfrida, was involved in his death. She wanted her own son to become king instead. After his death, Edward was seen as a martyr. This means he was honored for his faith and his tragic end.
