St Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn |
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St Mary's Church, Great Bedwyn; cross shaft in right foreground
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| 51°22′37″N 1°36′09″W / 51.37685°N 1.60256°W | |
| Location | Great Bedwyn |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Style | Norman, Early English |
| Years built | 12th century |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Great Bedwyn |
| Deanery | Pewsey |
| Archdeaconry | Wilts |
| Diocese | Salisbury |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is a very old church in Great Bedwyn, England. It is a special building, listed as Grade I listed because of its history. The church was mostly built in the 12th century, in a style called Norman. But even older parts from the 10th century are hidden underneath!
This church is also famous for a beautiful memorial. It honors Sir John Seymour. He was the father of King Henry VIII's wife, Jane Seymour. This means he was also the grandfather of King Edward VI of England.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
This church has a very long history, going back to Anglo-Saxon times. In the year 905, the bishop of Winchester bought land here. He wanted to build a church in Great Bedwyn. Today, you can still find parts of that old Saxon church beneath the current building.
The Norman Era and Beyond
In 1086, a big survey called the Domesday Book mentioned a church in "Beduinde." It was owned by a priest named Brictward. Later, in 1091, the money from this church went to Salisbury Cathedral.
Famous People and Memorials
Inside the church, there is a grand memorial for Sir John Seymour (1474–1536). He was a very important person. His daughter, Jane Seymour, became one of King Henry VIII's wives. Sir John was also the father of Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, and the grandfather of King Edward VI of England.
Sir John's monument was moved here in 1590. It is a stone chest with family symbols on it. On top, there is a statue of Sir John lying down. He is dressed in armor, with his hands together in prayer. His head rests on his helmet, and his family's symbol, a pair of wings, sticks out from it. At his feet is a lion, and a sword lies by his side.
Above the statue, there is a stone tablet. It tells the story of Sir John's family. It lists his six sons and four daughters. It mentions his famous children like Jane, Queen of England, and Thomas, Lord Seymour. The tablet also explains that Sir John died in 1536. He was first buried somewhere else. But later, his grandson, Edward, Earl of Hertford, moved his body to this church in 1590. He did this to honor his grandfather's memory.
In 1672, a historian named John Aubrey visited the church. He wrote down what the monument said. He also drew the family symbols, many of which are now gone.
Another famous person connected to the church is Thomas Willis (1621–1675). He was a very important doctor and scientist from Oxford. He was born in Great Bedwyn in 1621 and was baptized at this church.
You can also see the beautiful tomb of Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset (1599–1674). She was the daughter of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. He was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I but faced serious charges in 1601. Frances Seymour was the second wife of William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset. She was also the mother of their seven children.
Church Architecture
St Mary's Church is shaped like a cross. It is built with flint stones and has special limestone details. A famous expert named Pevsner said the central tower is "just the right height" compared to the rest of the church.
The arched walkways inside were built in the late 12th century. The chancel, which is the area around the altar, was rebuilt and made longer in the late 13th century. The tower was added in the early 14th century. The parts of the church that stick out on the sides, called transepts, were also added around this time.
In the 1850s, the church was restored by an architect named T.H. Wyatt. He put in new roofs throughout the building.
Inside the Church
In the south transept, there are two old stone spaces from the early 14th century. In one of them, there is a stone statue of a knight. He has a shield and a sword. People say it is Sir Adam de Stokke, who died in 1313. He is thought to have built the transepts.
In the 1850s, the old wooden screen that separated the chancel was moved. It is now in the north transept. It was replaced with new iron railings.
The church also has a stone font and a pulpit. These were added by Wyatt during the restoration. The church has six bells, all from the 17th century. The oldest one was made in 1623. There is also a small bell made in 1741.
Churchyard Features
Outside the church, to the north-west, stands an old stone cross. It has a base and a shaft from the 14th century. On top, there is a sundial from the 17th century.
Near the church entrance, there is a war memorial from around 1920. It is a tall stone cross with carvings. It lists the names of those who died in the First World War.
You can also see several old chest tombs in the churchyard. These include tombs for the Tanner family and for Elizabeth Pinckney.
Church and Community
For a long time, the church in Bedwyn was very important. From the late 11th century, a special priest from Salisbury Cathedral was in charge of it. This priest had a lot of power over Great Bedwyn and nearby areas. This special arrangement continued until 1847.
The church's land was part of the Tottenham House estate from 1567. This land was later sold to the Crown in 1950.
Over the years, the area covered by the church changed. In 1844, a new church was built in East Grafton. Part of Great Bedwyn parish was given to it. Then, in 1864, another part was moved to a new church near Tottenham House.
In 1982, the churches of Great Bedwyn, Little Bedwyn, and St Katharine joined together. Today, the parish is part of the Savernake Team. This team includes eleven village parishes working together.
Gallery
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St Mary's, Great Bedwin, interior
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Tomb of Frances Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, widow of William Seymour, 2nd Duke of Somerset
