Week St Mary facts for kids
Week St Mary (which is Gwig Sen Maria in the Cornish language) is a small village and civil parish in the northeast part of Cornwall, England. It is located near the River Tamar and the border between Cornwall and Devon. In 2011, about 657 people lived in the parish.
The village has a beautiful parish church from the 14th and 15th centuries. It is called St Mary the Virgin. The church tower holds six bells that can be rung. The church is part of the diocese of Truro.
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What is the History of Week St Mary?
The area of Week St Mary has a long history. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. This was a very old survey of land in England. The record showed that the manor of Week had enough land for eight ploughs. It was one of many areas owned by a person named Richard.
At that time, there were three ploughs working the land. There were also people living and working there. This included four serfs, six villeins, and ten smallholders. The area also had two acres of woodland. There was also a large area of pasture for animals. The survey counted forty sheep and twenty-five other animals. The value of the manor was one pound and ten shillings.
The College and School in Week St Mary
A special college was started in Week St Mary in 1506. It was founded by a woman named Thomasine Bonaventure. Parts of this old college building are now a farmhouse. The Landmark Trust now owns this historic building.
A man named John Dinham helped build the college. He also worked on his own home, Wortham Manor, around the same time. The college was not just a school. It was also a chantry. This meant the schoolmaster had to pray for the souls of Thomasine's husbands. Because it was a chantry, the college was closed down in 1548. However, in 1546, people said it was "a great comfort to all the country there." This shows it was important to the local community.
Lightning Strikes at the Church
The old church, built in the 14th and 15th centuries, has faced some challenges. In 1878, lightning struck the church. One of the large stones from the tower's top was thrown 20 feet (about 6 meters) away. Today, the stones at the base of the tower have gaps. These gaps are about 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 centimeters) wide. The church tower had been hit by lightning two times before this event.
What is the Geography of Week St Mary?
The parish of Week St Mary covers a large area. It is about 6,123 acres (24.8 square kilometers). In 2001, the population was 550 people. By 2011, it had grown to 657 people.
Special Protected Areas in Week St Mary
The parish is home to two important Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). These areas are protected because of their amazing plants and animals.
- Brendonmoor SSSI is in the eastern part of the parish. It was recognized as a special area in 1990.
- Greenamoor SSSI is also a special area. It is a nature reserve that is owned by Plantlife and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. It was named a protected site in 1992.
See also
In Spanish: Week St Mary para niños
