St Mary's Church, Chedzoy
| Church of St Mary | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within Somerset | |
| General information | |
| Town or city | Chedzoy |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°08′04″N 2°56′34″W / 51.1345°N 2.9429°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
The Anglican Church of St Mary in Chedzoy, Somerset, England dates from the 13th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building.[1]
There is evidence of a Church in Chedzoy in 1166 when it was given along with the parent church in North Petherton to Buckland Priory.[2] The tower dates from the early 16th century when the porch, clerestory, the arch into the north transept, and the windows in the north aisle were added.[3]
Much of the current building is from the 17th century, although the Norman chancel, chancel arch and doorway remain. It was extensively remodelled by William Butterfield in 1861.[4] A late medieval screen and rood loft were removed around 1841. The font has survived since the 13th century. The pulpit is from the 16th century. Amongst the memorials is a monumental brass believed to commemorate Richard Sydenham who died in 1499.[2]
Local tradition says that the church still bears marks form the forces of the Duke of Monmouth during the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, who sharpened their swords before battle,[5] however this is unlikely to be the true source of the marks.[6]
The parish is part of the benefice of Westonzoyland with Chedzoy within the Sedgemoor deanery.[3]
See also[edit]
- Grade I listed buildings in Sedgemoor
- List of Somerset towers
- List of ecclesiastical parishes in the Diocese of Bath and Wells
References[edit]
- ^ "Church of St Mary". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2007.
- ^ a b "Chedzoy: Church". A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6: Andersfield, Cannington, and North Petherton Hundreds (Bridgwater and neighbouring parishes). British History Online. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ a b "The Blessed Virgin Mary, Chedzoy". Church of England. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "St Mary's, Chedzoy, Somerset". Minerva Stone Conservation. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
- ^ Leete-Hodge, Lornie (1985). Curiosities of Somerset. Bodmin: Bossiney Books. p. 81. ISBN 0-906456-98-3.
- ^ "A Battlefield Drive". Battlefields Resource Centre. Retrieved 18 September 2011.