St Peter ad Vincula, Coggeshall facts for kids
St Peter ad Vincula, which means 'St Peter in chains', is a very old and important church in Coggeshall, Essex. It's famous for being one of the large "wool churches" built in East Anglia. These churches were made possible because of the successful wool trade long ago. This church is so special that it's listed as a Grade I building, meaning it's of exceptional historical interest.
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About St Peter's Church
This amazing church stands tall in Coggeshall. It's a place where people have gathered for hundreds of years. The church we see today was finished in the early 1400s. Imagine, that's over 600 years ago! Before this building, there were even older churches on the same spot. People from the Saxon and Norman times worshipped here too.
A Church Built for Wool
Have you ever heard of a "wool church"? These are churches that are much bigger than you might expect for their towns. They were built during a time when the wool trade was booming in England. Towns like Coggeshall became rich from selling wool. The people used some of their wealth to build grand churches. This showed how important and successful their towns were. St Peter ad Vincula is a great example of this rich history.
A Long History
The land where St Peter's stands has been a place of worship for a very long time. Archeologists believe there was a Saxon church here first. Later, after the Norman Conquest in 1066, a Norman church was built. The current building replaced these older structures. It was a huge project that took many years to complete. The church has seen many changes in history, from kings and queens to major events.
Moving History to Coggeshall
Sometimes, when old buildings are taken down, their important parts are saved. In 1933, a nearby church in Marks Hall was demolished. To keep some of its history safe, several items were moved to St Peter ad Vincula. One special item was a monument for a lady named Mary Honywood. You can find her monument in the sacristy, which is a room in the church.
Mary Honywood's Family
Mary Honywood was a remarkable woman. She was famous for having a huge family! At the time of her death, she had 367 living descendants. That means she had 367 children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on, who were all alive when she passed away. Imagine a family reunion with that many people! Her story is a fascinating part of the church's history.
