Church of St Mary the Virgin, Masham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin, Masham |
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| St Mary the Virgin, Masham | |
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The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Masham
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 Church of St Mary the Virgin, Masham
Location in North Yorkshire
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| 54°13′17″N 1°39′13″W / 54.2213°N 1.6537°W | |
| OS grid reference | SE226806 |
| Location | Masham, North Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Weekly attendance | 70 (2015) |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architectural type | Perpendicular |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 100 feet (30 m) |
| Width | 51 feet (16 m) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Masham |
| Benefice | Masham and Healey |
| Deanery | Ripon |
| Archdeaconry | Richmond and Craven |
| Diocese | Leeds |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Masham is a historic church in the town of Masham, North Yorkshire, England. It stands where an even older Anglo-Saxon church once stood. Some of the original Saxon stones are still part of the church you see today. Experts believe this spot has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,400 years!
This church was once part of a special court called a Peculier. It was given to the Diocese of York, but it was too far away for the bishop to manage easily. So, a group of 24 local men, known as the Four and Twenty, ran all the church's affairs. Because they didn't send taxes to York, the court became very wealthy. People even called it the richest plum in Christendom.
The church is located at the south-east corner of the market square in Masham.
Contents
Discovering Masham's Ancient Church
The Church of St Mary the Virgin stands on a very old site. A church was mentioned here in the Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086. While we don't know exactly where that first church was, archaeologists have found amazing clues. They discovered 57 Saxon bodies, which tells us this spot has been used for Christian worship for over 1,400 years!
The current church building started in the 12th century. More parts were added in the 14th, 16th, and 19th centuries. Between 1855 and 1863, the church was repaired and updated after lightning struck the tower. During these repairs, many carved stones from the Anglo-Saxon period were found hidden in the church walls. The church was given a special Grade II* listing in 1966, meaning it's a very important historic building.
Some people believe the town's name, Masham, comes from "Mass-Town." This is because the church was a central place where people traveled to worship.
What the Church Looks Like
The church has several main parts:
- A vaulted south porch (an entrance area with an arched ceiling).
- A nave (the main part where people sit).
- A chapel and a chancel (the area near the altar).
- Two aisles (passageways on the sides).
- A tower.
The church is about 100 feet (30 m) long and 51 feet (16 m) wide at its widest point.
Inside the chancel, there's a monument to Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 1st Baronet. The south aisle has many memorials to the Danby family from nearby Swinton. During a time called the Reformation, some decorations, like the rood-screen and stained glass, were removed. Most of the church is built in the Perpendicular style, which was popular in England during the late Middle Ages. However, some stained glass windows on the south side are in the Decorated style. The font, used for baptisms, is newer. It was given to the church in 1862 and is made of Caen stone with carvings of religious symbols.
The Church Tower and Cross
The church tower is on the west side. Its lower three levels were built in the 12th century in the Norman style. In the 14th or 15th century, an eight-sided section was added, and a spire was placed on top. A clock was put on the outside of the spire in 1732. The "Four and Twenty" men of the Peculier of Masham decided it should be there because it would be "very useful" for everyone in town and those visiting the market.
Just outside the church porch, there's an amazing stone cross from the Anglo-Saxon period. It's believed to have been carved in the 8th or 9th centuries and might have been dedicated to St Wilfrid. This cross is about 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) tall and 2 feet 0 inches (0.6 m) wide. It's decorated with early Christian carvings, though some have worn away over time. This cross was also given a Grade II listing in 1966.
The church was featured in an episode of the BBC TV series Strike in 2017. One of the main characters, who is from Masham, gets married in the church during the show.
The Peculier of Masham: A Special Court
The story of the Peculier of Masham is quite unique! Roger de Mowbray, who owned the land, was captured during the Crusades. After he was freed, he gave the church to the Church of St Peter in York (which is York Minster). However, Masham was so far from York that it was difficult and even dangerous for church officials to travel there to collect taxes or manage affairs.
So, the Archbishop of York decided that Masham's church could govern its own matters. This special right was called a "Peculier." The word "Peculier" here means "Particular" or "Special," not "odd" like the word "peculiar" usually means today.
How the Peculier Court Worked
The Peculier Court of Masham was run by 24 local men, known as the Four and Twenty. The person in charge of the church (the incumbent) led the court. This court had the power to make rules about church life and even local behavior. For example, they could rule on things like:
- Drunkenness or fighting.
- Not bringing children to be baptized.
- Not paying money into the church collection.
- Wearing hats during communion.
- Setting up a school without permission.
One man was even punished for not providing food and water for a village walk! People were also punished for their religious beliefs if they didn't follow the church's rules.
Because the court didn't have to send taxes to York, it became very rich. Its wealth and power were well-known across northern England. This led to the saying that the Peculier of Masham was the richest plum in Christendom.
The Peculier and Theakston Brewery
When the Theakston Brewery started in Masham in 1827, their very first beer was named Old Peculier. This name was a tribute to the town's unique church court.
In 1999, the brewery paid for a new stained glass window in the church. This window shows the seal of the Peculier of Masham, which is believed to be a picture of Roger de Mowbray. Theakstons had used this seal as the design for their beer label.
The brewery and the church have an agreement that allows Theakston to use the Peculier seal on their products. This agreement was last renewed in 1989 and will continue until 2040. As part of the deal, Theakston also commissioned a new painting of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus for the church.
