Services for July; August and September 2008.
HEYTESBURY CHURCH
 |
St. Peter and St. Paul |
Described in the Collins ‘Guide to English Parish Churches’ edited by John Betjeman, as ‘A noble cruciform fabric with a central tower, formerly collegiate …’ (in the thirteenth century it had four canons resident in Heytesbury). Not much now remains of the original twelfth century building (the most obvious survivor is the chancel pillar with scalloped capital) which now dates mainly from the late twelfth, thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, from which latter time the fine stone-vaulted screen to the Hungerford Chantry (north transept) originates. Its tower contains six fine bells, the heaviest and oldest, the tenor, weighing 21cwt, was cast in 1480. The church was rescued and extensively restored, not entirely sympathetically, by George Butterfield in 1864 – 7, but the impressive mass of its exterior appearance, and the rather austere grandeur of its interior, both remain to be admired to-day.
KNOOK CHURCH
|
St. Margaret of Antioch |
This small church, once subordinate to the great Collegiate Church of Heytesbury, lies adjacent to the fine Tudor manor house of Knook, but is itself much older, having Norman windows in the chancel and a notable tympanum, supported by Norman shafts, above the blocked up south door. Nearby is what appears to be an ancient scratch dial, thought to be Saxon.
Gervaise Bland, as well as being curate of Knook and Heytesbury in 1668, was vicar of All Saints Chitterne. Like Heytesbury church, Knook church possessed many valuable ornaments which have long since disappeared.
The church is dedicated to St. Margaret, the 13 year old shepherdess who was tortured and executed by Hyppolytus the Roman Governor of Antioch. The church is a small stone building in mixed styles, consisting of a Norman chancel, nave, North porch and belfry with one bell.
TYTHERINGTON CHURCH
|
St. James |
This
tiny chapel
dedicated to St.
James,
traditionally associated with the Empress Maud (or Matilda),
daughter of Henry I, who at the age of 12 had in 1114 been
married to the Emperor Henry V of Germany, and after his
death had married Geoffrey of Anjou. During
the period of her connection with Heytesbury, Maud endowed
28 acres of land at Tytherington, common pasture for 10
oxen, 2 cows, and 2 horses, together with a manor or
dwelling for two chaplains to serve this chapel. The
chapel dates
from the early twelfth century, and is one of the oldest
churches in Wiltshire. Like
Knook Church, long subordinate to Heytesbury Church, its
ancient walls give one a feeling of the continuity of
worship over 900 years, whilst its small size and the
simplicity of its design add a sense of the simplicity of
the Christian Faith.
There is a story told by Sir Richard Hoare in 1824 in his “History of Modern Wiltshire and the Hundred of Heytesbury” that a dog was locked in the chapel after one of the quarterly services, and was found alive ten weeks later. It must have had rainwater to drink, perhaps from a leaking roof, and rats or field mice to eat, or even maybe rabbits of chickens had got in through holes in the walls!.
The chapel was restored in 1891-2, when the roof and walls received attention. During the restoration a new east window was put in, a new altar and frontals, clergy stall, lectern, credence table and new floor. Further restorations were carried out in 1957. In 1983 all 4,000 bung pegs securing the stone slates to the roof were replaced as these were found to be of soft wood. In 1985 the interior walls were cleaned back to the original stone - a small section being left on view - the walls were then re-plastered.
Today it is waterproof and has one service each month.