Church mouse.. issue 5

Issue 5. November 2016

Discoveries in Anglesey

The church of St Gredifael in the Anglesey village of Penmynydd is no longer used as a place of worship but is important because it was the home church of the Tudur family, known in English as the Tudors, and houses the tomb of Goronwy and Myfanwy. Goronwy Tudur known as Gornw Fychan died in an accident in 1382. He was the uncle of Owain Tudur, who was the grandfather of Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII. The tomb was originally at Llanfaes Friary, but moved to St Gredifael’s following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. It is currently in the news as, during a project to clean and restore this rare alabaster tomb, a number of bones were discovered under it. Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of at least six people.

“Surely,” you may say, “one expects to find bones under a tomb.” In this case it is not so. It was customary to bury the rich inside the church and then move them to the graveyard outside, but it appears, for reasons unknown, that these skeletons remained inside.

Spencer Smith, who’s been a leading part of the excavation team, said: “The wooden floor of the north side of the church was not strong enough to take the weight of the panels the tomb is made up of, and consequently the floor was lifted in order to work out how to best replace it. When the floor was lifted, several very disturbed burials were found, which we believe had been disturbed during the construction of the wooden floor in 1848. The loose bone will be recorded and studied before reburial within the church and the graves discovered will be recorded but the bodies left within them.”

From the Editor’s Desk Starting with this issue we are making a few slight changes. The banner will have a date as well as an issue number; this doesn't mean , however, that it will be published regularly!. The front page will no longer be a cover picture but will be, like issue 1, part of the content and probably mostly news.

The Church Mouse is published as an e-magazine and no paper version is available. You may, however, print a copy for your own use; email requesting a .pdf file for the issue that you require. Editors of church magazines and similar publications are welcome to use extracts, all that is asked is that you acknowledge the source and send us a copy of the publication. With an email request we will send you a word doc of the article. ©2016. The Captain's Library http://www.issuu.com/the-captain Email: magazines@post.com

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It may not be the biggest or the most famous but it’s...

Eastbridge Hospital, Canterbury “How curious”, I thought as walked along the Canterbury street. I stopped at the doorway to a mediaeval building, intrigued by the fact that the door was partially below street level. The roadway has apparently built up over the years I looked up and read the sign above the door “The Canterbury Pilgrim’s Hospital of St Thomas. The Pilgrim’s Refectory, Chapel, Undercroft Etc” . “That sounds interesting.” I said, the sign told me it was “Open to visitors” so I opened the Gothic door stepped down the three steps and found myself in the world of the mediaeval pilgrim. I had entered a Vestibule built in c.1180.

On the left is the Chantry Chapel of Our Lady, used for saying Mass for the dead. A 14th century arch separates the main part of the chapel from the sanctuary area. Like many other religious institutions connected with pilgrimages the hospital was closed during the Reformation. The chapel, closed in 1547, was not restored to use until 1969 when the beam on the altar side of the arch, from the old “The Saracen’s Head’ inn was installed dates from the 14th century. It is now in daily use for worship.

Up a short flight of steps from the Refectory we come to the Pilgrims' Chapel. This was built in 1190; the fine woodwork of the roof dates from about 1285.

The Chapel assumed its present form in the 14th century. The chapel was used as a schoolroom from 1569 to 1880 but was restored to its original use at an earlier date than the Chantry, 1927. Over the years it has gathered a number of additions: the oak beamed bell cage and sanctus bell in 1727; some old pews, carved chairs for the Archbishop and the Master, and a set of ancient stalls with misericords (I had a look at these, they are plain underneath), dating from the early 15th century, These came from the nearby Holy Cross Church in 1972 and may originally have been in some religious house in the city pre-Dissolution.

The Hospital was founded to meet the needs of the large number of pilgrims coming to Canterbury in the years following the death of Thomas Becket. No firm evidence for the date of the founding of the Hospital can be found, but it is likely, according to records, that it was in existence by 1176. From gifts of lands and money, the foundation soon became rich, but it fell out of use after some 150 years. It was refounded in 1342 by Archbishop Stratford, and was probably at its peak in the 1380s when Chaucer was writing his Canterbury Tales.

In 1538, the shrine to St. Thomas was destroyed and the Hospital went into decline, but in 1584 Archbishop Whitgift made reforms which were protected by Act of Parliament. The Hospital had from that time to provide accommodation for ten poor people of Canterbury and pay a dole to ten more. In addition to this shelter and care for wounded soldiers passing through Canterbury had to be provided, and the school for twenty boys, which had been founded i1569,was maintained, and stayed open until 1880. Today Eastbridge, as an Almshouse, continues to give a home and support to a group of people of varying needs.

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The veneration of relics of people held in special regard predates Christianity, an example being the hero cults of ancient Greece. The term as used in the church today comprises three types of relic defined by the Roman Catholic Church as:  First-Class Relics: The physical remains of a saint or items directly associated with the events of Christ's life.  Second-Class Relics: items that the saint owned or frequently used. This includes what are known as ex indumentis ("from the clothing") a part of something that the saint wore.  Third-Class Relics: any object that is touched to a first- or second-class relic. Most thirdclass relics are small pieces of cloth.

The Second Council of Nicaea in 787 decreed that every altar should contain a relic, the edict being followed to the present day in the Catholic and Orthodox churches.

There was considerable trade and traffic of relics in the medieval period and the authenticity of many relics is more than doubtful. Some may sound too ludicrous to be true (a phial of the Virgin Mary’s milk) and others exist in large quantities (there are said to be more than thirty nails from the crucifixion) Iconoclastic purges during the Reformation and Dissolution followed by the Civil Wars and Commonwealth cleared British churches of most of their relics. In Anglican churches those that remain or have been found since are not usually regarded as venerated objects but as treasures or reminders of the past.

In a niche in the Holy Trinity Chapel behind the high altar in St David's Cathedral, enclosed by an iron grid, there is a casket. This reliquary was traditionally thought to contain relics of St David and St Justinian of Ramsey. Recent scientific examination of these bones, however, dates the earliest fragments to the 12th century.

The shrine of St David has been beautifully restored and was re-dedicated in 2012. This does not contain a burial as the shrine was desecrated during the Dissolution.

One of the most interesting stories of relics, if I may call them such, is found in the top righthand corner of the British Isles; Kirkwall Cathedral. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Magnus and was built by his nephew St. Rognvald as a resting place for his relics.

In 1919, while restoration work was being done, the bones of both St Magnus and St Rognvald were found immured and after the work was completed they were returned to their unique resting place in the pillar.

A plaque on the pillar reads:

SAINT MAGNUS WITHIN THIS PILLAR LIE THE REMAINS OF MAGNUS ERLEND’S SON EARL OF ORKNEY WHO ON 16th APRIL 1115□ WAS SLAIN ON THE ISLAND OF EGILLAY●CANONISED ON 13th DECEMBER 1133●●TO HIS MEMORY ROGNVALD BUILT THIS CATHEDRAL -3-

Who’s in Your Church?

By Roger Stapenhill (writing in parishwindow.co.uk ) A great number of churches have the relics of some past saint which may or may not be genuine. Louis IX of France spent something like half of the French annual budget to purchase the crown of thorns worn by Jesus (I wonder?) and Frederick III of Saxony had a massive collection including supposedly a whisker from Jesus beard, threads from the Virgin Mary’s veil and a twig from the burning bush.

Many such relics are kept hidden in very fancy boxes but on a holiday to the former Yugoslavia, now Croatia, I remember visiting the massive parish church of St. Blaise, Vodnjan capable of holding 5000 worshippers. Here relics were displayed behind glass and these were certainly not for the squeamish, being the mummified remains of six Italian saints dating back to the 12th century but which had been placed there for safety in the early 19th century. One, St. Nicolosa, a Benedictine Nun who died in 1512 is well reputed to have healing properties and it is said that there have been 50 miraculous cures in close proximity of her body. I won’t go into further descriptions of her and her fellows but let’s just say that whilst St Nicolosa is thought to be the best preserved mummy in Europe none of them were a very pretty sight.

In 2012 six small bones were dug up in a monastery on the Bulgarian island of Sveti Ivan - St. John which were said to be bones from the hand of St. John the Baptist.

Also uncovered, close to the sarcophagus in which the bones were found was a small box made from hardened volcanic ash bearing inscriptions in ancient Greek that refer to John the Baptist and his feast day, and text asking God to “help your servant Thomas”. The archaeologists believe that the bones probably came to Bulgaria via Antioch, an ancient Turkish city, where a relic which was said to be the right hand of John the Baptist was kept until the tenth century.

A research team led by Thomas Higham, an atheist professor from the University of Oxford, agreed to use carbon dating to test the veracity of the claims. Expectations were low, but in June 2012 published their report. To their surprise the bones dated from the correct period, the first century AD. And they were all from the hand of the same man. And, even more surprising, this man came from what was then the ‘near east’.

Professor Higham said that there was little that could prove beyond doubt that the bones were, indeed, those of John the Baptist, but that it remains a distinct possibility.

Believers have queued for hours to see the bones, on display in Sofia, and the results of the Oxford tests could make the city a renewed centre of pilgrimage for Christians from around the world.

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From time to time when we are touring we have a lunchtime stop at Lichfield, a city with what I consider to be one of the finest cathedrals in Britain. It is also of special interest to me as I live on Anglesey. Lichfield has probably suffered more from the ravages of the Reformation and the violence and excesses of the Civil War than any other church in Britain; it has put the past behind it and risen over the last 450 years to its present day splendour.

During the Civil War it was commandeered by the Royalists as a garrison and so was heavily bombarded and much of the ancient fabric either badly damaged or destroyed. This destruction included the West front which has over the years been restored and now has one hundred and one statues of saints and sovereigns; a guide to them is available, although it is an amusing pastime trying to identify them all; a pretty hopeless task. It is also renowned for being the only medieval cathedral with three spires, known as ‘The Ladies of the Vale’ There are far more things of interest than I could ever mention in this short article, I will come to some in a second part, but I want to mention that of special interest to me is the connection with the Paget family, their family home and the 1st Marquess of Anglesey, who is buried in the family vault and has a memorial in his regiment’s chapel.

It is difficult to know just where to start describing the treasures of Lichfield Cathedral.

Perhaps the thing that strikes most people as they enter the building is the stained glass in the east end. I suppose that these windows could be classed as ‘architectural salvage’ for they come from the Abbey of Herkenrode in Belgium. Considered to beu some of the finest medieval Flemish painted glass in existence, the windows date from 1530. The Abbey was dissolved during the Napoleonic Wars in 1801. Purchased by Sir Brooke Boothby, the windows were sold on to the cathedral for the same price. The windows and the stonework around them have recently undergone extensive restoration and conservation.

A unique feature of this cathedral is the pedilavium, an arcade designed for the ceremonial washing of feet. This leads to the octagonal chapter house which is used to exhibit the Lichfield Gospels . This beautiful illuminated manuscript dates from about 730 and includes some of the earliest known examples of written Welsh.

The chapter house also displays the Lichfield Angel an eighth century sculpted panel of the Archangel Gabriel. The two foot tall limestone panel, thought to be part of a chest, was discovered under the nave in 2003. It has been broken into three parts.

The shrine of St Chad is behind the high altar in the retro choir. Up a staircase to the south of the quire is St Chad's Head Chapel. Until the 1540s, St Chad's bones were kept here as relics.

His skull was exhibited to pilgrims from the balcony. It is now a Chapel of Prayer, used daily.

There is so much to see and talk about in this cathedral that I could fill a book; you must go and see it for yourself.

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The Minister’s Watch Stand The majority of churches and chapels in Britain have no clock in sight of the minister, a recipe for long sermons. The English Presbyterian Church in Menai Bridge on Anglesey has an interesting solution to this problem; the pulpit has a stand for a watch. There being no clock in the church, the preacher, by placing his pocket-watch on the stand, would be able to keep his eye on the time and long sermons are no more (hopefully)

-+Carvings in Holy Trinity, Llandudno

Not really curiosities, but of more the average interest. Wood carvings in the nave include

two Thompson Mice and the unique Angel.

The famous woodworker, Robert Thompson, always carved a tiny mouse as his signature and these can be found on the choir vestry door and the screen, both in the south aisle.

The Angel was carved over a period of five years in the 1970s by Handel Edwards (1924-2011) from South Wales and within the Angel’s outspread wings are carved 31 scenes and miracles from the life of Christ. These intricately carved scenes deserve more than a passing glance and are an example of the treasures, not always ancient, that can be found in our parish churches.

Spike Milligan’s epitaph “I told you I was ill” is well known, it appears that he inspired others, for similar inscriptions can be found all over the world. I have been informed that it is one of the most common ‘unusual’ epitaphs.

Milligan had said that he wanted his headstone to have the inscription "I told you I was ill." He was buried at St Thomas' churchyard, the Chichester diocese, however, refused to allow this epitaph. A compromise was reached using the Irish translation, “Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite”

In the next issue: An interesting gravestone at Dwygyfylchi and War graves at Bodelwyddan

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We have come to the last instalment. It has been a very brief look at some of the words used and we may not have included everything that you would like to know.

Contact us if you have a question and we will try to answer.

Rose window: A circular window, especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery.

Sacristy: A room where the communion vessels, altar hangings, candlesticks, etc. are kept and cleaned. Often also serves as the room where the clergy don their vestments before a service.

Sanctuary: From the Latin sanctus ("holy"). Strictly speaking, it is the area immediately surrounding the altar, sometimes set apart from the nave by the chancel, and/or enclosed by an altar rail. In some denominations the word refers to the entire worship space.

Sanctuary Lamp: A lamp hanging somewhere in the sanctuary, also called a Sacrament Lamp. Sometimes there are three lamps, sometimes seven, but usually only one. The sanctuary lamp is kept lit to indicate the presence of the Reserved Sacrament.

Sedilia: The seats inside the sanctuary, used by clergy . Usually in the form of alcoves in the chancel wall.

Shrine: In the Roman Catholic Code of Canon law, canons 1230 and 1231 read: "The term shrine means a church or other sacred place which, with the approval of the local Ordinary, is by reason of special devotion frequented by the faithful as pilgrims.“ The word is used for a place regarded as holy because of its associations with a divinity or a sacred person or relic, a place associated with or containing memorabilia of a saint. a niche or enclosure containing a religious statue or other object.

Slype: A covered passageway, normally between the chapter house and the transept.

Steeple: In archaic usage any church tower, but usually taken to mean a tower with a spire.

Spire: A conical or pyramidal structure normally on the roof of a tower Tabernacle: A small cabinet or vessel designed to contain the Reserved Sacrament. It may be found built into the altar, standing on the altar, on the retable, or it may be built into another part of the sanctuary in this case, it is also known as an aumbry.

Transept: The part of a cruciform church at right angles to the nave.

Undercroft : The area under the church, the crypt.

Vestibule: The entrance hall, also called the narthex.

Vestry: A room or building for changing into vestments, often used as an office.

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Editor’s note. This is, I am sure, the type of day out that most readers enjoy. It is nice to share the experience of another visitor of churches.

A Grand Day Out Paul Underhill. Originally published in parishwindow.co.uk Last summer my daughter, Cheryl and I set off for East Sussex to see my son. On the way Cheryl asked if we could make a diversion to see a church, the very ornate spire of which was visible as we passed by on the A228. That diversion led us to discover St Lawrence’s in the delightful village of Mereworth.

The church is very unusual architecturally, having been built by the local ‘Lord of the Manor’ in the mid eighteenth century, after the original church, located close to the Manor House, was demolished to make way for developments.

The church, that has some beautiful and unusual stained glass windows, is well worth a visit in its own right, but it has a very special added attraction in the summer that should not be missed! Most Sunday afternoons during July and August, the ladies of St Lawrence’s serve the most delicious Cream Teas from a Pavilion in the grounds at the rear of the church.

The selection of home-made cakes, scones and pavlovas is mouth wateringly tempting, almost to the point of being sinful.

As for the prices, I guarantee you will be presently surprised; all this and in beautiful peaceful surroundings.

Close to Mereworth is the village of East Peckham, a delightfully English village with little more than a church, pub and village green to accompany the houses. Go on the right weekend and you will have a chance to visit the village fete, where stalls of all kinds vie for your attention along with the classic cars on display and you can visit their very early church.

Without doubt a grand day out (well, afternoon anyway) for the summer; a great place to visit after the Sunday morning service if you get the chance.

This CartoonChurch.com cartoon by Dave Walker originally appeared in the Church Times