St Michael the Archangel's Church, Framlingham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Michael’s Church Framlingham
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of England
Previous denomination	Roman Catholic
Churchmanship	Broad Church
Website	http://www.stmichaelsframlingham.org.uk
History
Dedication	Saint Michael
Specifications
Bells	8
Tenor bell weight	16 long cwt 0 qr 14 lb (1,806 lb or 819 kg)
Administration
Parish	Framlingham, Suffolk
Diocese	St Edmundsbury & Ipswich
Province	Canterbury

St Michael's Church in Framlingham, Suffolk, is a special Church of England church. It is named after Saint Michael. This church is famous because many members of the important Howard family are buried here. In 1966, it was recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's a very important historic building. The church welcomes donations to help keep it in good condition.

History of St Michael's Church

The Church of Saint Michael in Framlingham has been built and changed many times. Some parts, like the tops of the chancel arch columns, are from the 1100s. Most of the church was built between 1350 and 1555. This was in a style called Perpendicular Gothic.

The roof has beautiful fan tracery designs. These designs hide the large wooden beams that support the roof. This amazing roof was built around 1521.

Framlingham was once a main home for the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk. The land first belonged to the Norman Bigods. Later, it was given to Thomas of Brotherton, son of King Edward I. Around 1635, Sir Robert Hitcham gave the Framlingham estate to Pembroke College, Cambridge. They still own it today. The church has many important tombs, including one for Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.

Church Bells

The church has 8 bells that can be rung together. These bells were made by different people between the 1400s and the 1900s. In 1718, two new smaller bells were added by John Stephens of Norwich. This made the total number of bells eight.

The bells hang in a strong oak frame. This frame was built in 1892 by George Day of Eye, Suffolk. In 1990, the bells were checked and repaired by John Taylor & Co from Loughborough.

The Famous Thamar Organ

The Thamar organ, a very old and special musical instrument.

One of the most special things in the church is the famous Thamar organ. This organ is very rare. Only eight large organs from the English Civil War time still exist. Only three of those were made by Thomas Thamar. The other two are in Gloucester Cathedral and St Nicholas's church in Stanford upon Avon.

The front pipes of the organ are painted. They belong to the Thamar organ first built in 1674. It was made for Pembroke College, Cambridge, who were the church's supporters. The only other painted pipes like these are in Gloucester Cathedral. The organ's wooden case might be even older, possibly from before 1630. Some of its pipes might also be from before the Civil War.

In 1707, Pembroke College wanted a newer, bigger organ. So, the Thamar organ, along with its case, came to St. Michael's in 1708. It was first placed on a high platform called a gallery. It stayed there until 1898. For a while, the organ was moved around the church. It went to the north side and then into the main part of the church. In 1970, the original gallery was found and put back. The organ was then placed back on it.

The organ's full history is not completely clear. A famous organ builder named John Byfield worked on it in 1740. When another builder, Hunter, rebuilt the organ in 1898, he used most of Thamar's original pipes. However, some parts were replaced or lost.

The organ was carefully restored in 1970 by Bishop and Son of Ipswich. During this work, a missing part called the cornet was found in the Rectory attic. It was repaired and put back. An old set of trumpet pipes was found to replace the lost ones. New parts were added to make the organ sound even better.

This organ has connections to famous musicians. It is believed that Felix Mendelssohn gave music lessons here. He visited the rector, George Attwood, whose father, Thomas Attwood, was a composer. Thomas Attwood was also an organist at St. Paul's Cathedral and had even been a student of Mozart.

Howard Family Tombs

The inside of St Michael's Church, showing its grand design.

The church holds the tombs of many members of the Howard family. Most of these tombs were moved here after Thetford Priory was closed down.

Tomb of Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond

The detailed tomb of Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond.

One of the Bible scenes carved on the Duke of Richmond's tomb.

Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset (1519–1536) is buried here. He was an illegitimate son of King Henry VIII and his mistress Elizabeth Blount. His tomb is very fancy.

The Duke of Richmond died in 1536 and was first buried at Thetford Priory. Even though he was born outside of marriage, the King gave him high titles. This was because he was the King's only son to live more than a few days. The 3rd Duke of Norfolk arranged for his daughter Mary to marry FitzRoy. They were married but did not live together because they were so young. FitzRoy died at age 17 from a lung illness.

King Henry seemed to lose interest in his son after he died. So, the Duke of Norfolk was in charge of the burial. After Thetford Priory was closed, the tomb and FitzRoy's body were moved to Framlingham. Mary FitzRoy was also buried here after she died in 1557.

Tomb of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk

The tomb of the 3rd Duke of Norfolk and his first wife, Anne of York.

The tomb of Thomas Howard is right next to the main altar. It is a very important historical artwork. The tomb has carvings of the twelve Apostles and some early Christian saints.

On the south side, you can see St Matthew the Evangelist, St James the Great, St James the Less, and St Andrew. On the west side are St Peter, the Prophet Aaron, and St Paul. The north side shows St Matthias, St Jude Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and St Philip. On the east side are St John the Evangelist, Simeon of Jerusalem, and St Thomas. These carvings are some of the last big religious images made in England before the Reformation changed things.

The design of the tomb mixes French and English styles. It was ordered by the most powerful nobleman in England, not by the King. Some parts of this tomb might have been used in another tomb at Thetford. That earlier tomb was for Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, who won the Battle of Flodden. His father was John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, who died fighting for Richard III. The Howard family became Dukes because of John Howard. It is thought that two other male bodies are buried in the 3rd Duke's tomb. People believe these might be his father and grandfather, moved here after Thetford Priory closed.

Tombs of the Wives of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk

The 4th Duke of Norfolk himself is buried at St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London. He was executed for trying to marry Mary I Stuart. His wives, Mary FitzAlan and Margaret Audley, are shown on this tomb in their robes. They rest their heads and feet on symbols of their families. Only Margaret is buried here.

The large empty space between their statues was likely meant for the Duke himself. It might also have been for his third wife, or even Mary, Queen of Scots. The sides of the tomb show their family heraldic quarterings. It seems there were once columns supporting a canopy over the monument, making it look even grander.

In 1842, this tomb was opened. It was found to be empty except for a skull and some ashes. A local story says that people in the town hid their valuables in the monument during the Jacobite rising of 1745. They then cleaned it out afterwards.

Tomb of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

The tomb of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, showing his family's coats of arms.

Before he died in 1614, Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton, made plans for his father's and mother's bodies to be moved to Framlingham. He also arranged for this monument to be built in 1614. The Latin writing on the tomb says Surrey was the son of the Second Duke. This is correct because after the Battle of Bosworth, the Dukedom was ended. The Second Duke then became the First Duke of the new creation.

This tomb is not religious. Instead, it praises the people it honors. Surrey's two sons kneel at the foot of the tomb. At the head are his three daughters:

• Jane, who wears a small crown.
• Katherine Howard, who married Henry Berkeley, 7th Baron Berkeley.
• Margaret, who married Henry Scrope, 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton (1534–1592).

Around 1976, the monument was sinking in the middle and falling apart at the ends. John Green was in charge of fixing it. He cleaned and repaired the monument. While cleaning, he found holes near Surrey's leg. These holes showed where a small crown once was. Surrey had died in disgrace, so he did not wear a crown. A new crown was made and placed there.

In Fiction

St Michael's Church is one of the places in Framlingham featured in the mystery novel Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz.

See also

In Spanish: Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel (Framlingham) para niños