Church of St Mary, Chedzoy
Encyclopedia
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.
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
. 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.
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. A late medieval screen and rood loft were removed around 1841. The font
has survived since the 13th century. The pulpit
is form the 16th century. Amongst the memorials is a brass believed to commemorate Richard Sydenham who died in 1499.
Local tradition says that the church still bears marks form the forces of The Duke of Monmouth
during the Monmouth Rebellion
who sharpened their swords before battle, however this is unlikely to be the true source of the marks.
The parish is part of the benefice
of Westonzoyland
with Chedzoy within the Sedgemoor
deanery.
Chedzoy
Chedzoy is a civil parish village east of Bridgwater in the Sedgemoor district of Somerset, England.-History:The village is at the western end of King's Sedgemoor and lies on an 'island' of Burtle marine sands, close to King's Sedgemoor Drain. The area was settled possibly in the Mesolithic...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England dates from the 13th century and has been designated as a grade I listed building.
There is evidence of a Church in Chedzoy in 1166 when it was given along with the parent church in North Petherton
North Petherton
North Petherton is a small town and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the edge of the eastern foothills of the Quantocks, and close to the edge of the Somerset Levels.The town has a population of 5,189...
to Buckland Priory
Buckland Priory
Buckland Priory was established around 1167 in Lower Durston, Somerset, England....
. The tower dates from the early 16th century when the porch, clerestory
Clerestory
Clerestory is an architectural term that historically denoted an upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. In modern usage, clerestory refers to any high windows...
, the arch into the north transept, and the windows in the north aisle were added.
Much of the current building is from the 17th century, although the Norman
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
chancel
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
, chancel arch and doorway remain. It was extensively remodelled by William Butterfield
William Butterfield
William Butterfield was a Gothic Revival architect and associated with the Oxford Movement . He is noted for his use of polychromy-Biography:...
in 1861. A late medieval screen and rood loft were removed around 1841. The font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
has survived since the 13th century. The pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
is form the 16th century. Amongst the memorials is a brass believed to commemorate Richard Sydenham who died in 1499.
Local tradition says that the church still bears marks form the forces of The Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, KG, PC , was an English nobleman. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II and his mistress, Lucy Walter...
during the Monmouth Rebellion
Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion,The Revolt of the West or The West Country rebellion of 1685, was an attempt to overthrow James II, who had become King of England, King of Scots and King of Ireland at the death of his elder brother Charles II on 6 February 1685. James II was a Roman Catholic, and some...
who sharpened their swords before battle, however this is unlikely to be the true source of the marks.
The parish is part of the benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
of Westonzoyland
Westonzoyland
Westonzoyland is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is situated on the Somerset Levels, south east of Bridgwater.-History:The name of the parish derives from its location on the "island" of Sowy, an area of slightly higher ground on the Somerset Levels between the River Cary and...
with Chedzoy within the Sedgemoor
Sedgemoor
Sedgemoor is a low lying area of land in Somerset, England. It lies close to sea level south of the Polden Hills, historically largely marsh . The eastern part is known as King's Sedgemoor, and the western part West Sedgemoor. Sedgemoor is part of the area now known as the Somerset Levels...
deanery.