Church of St Mary, Bridgwater
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Mary in Bridgwater
, Somerset
, England was built in the 13th century, and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
The building is on the site of an earlier church which was rebuilt by William Briwere
in the early 13th century.
St Mary Magdalene's church has a north porch and windows dating from the 14th century. During the 15th and 16th centuries chapels were added, modifying the nave
and the chancel
extended.
In July 1685, during the Monmouth Rebellion
, the Duke of Monmouth
watched from the tower as the forces of King James II assembled, at Westonzoyland
, under the command of the Earl of Feversham
prior to the Battle of Sedgemoor
. The spire, which was built in 1367, is 114 foot high and sits on top of the 64 feet (19.5 m) tower. The spire was split by lightning in 1814 and repaired the following year. On the face of the tower is a clock installed in 1869 replacing earlier clocks which had been on the tower since 1393. Within the tower are eight bells. The oldest bell dates from 1617 with further bells being added through the 17th and 18th centuries. The most recent bell is the Tenor which dates from 1868 and was cast by John Taylor & Co.
In the 1840s major renovation work included the removal of the galleries and box pew
s. In 1902 a vestry was added.
The interior of the church includes a 13 feet (4 m) by 8 feet (2.4 m) painting of the Descent from the Cross
of Spanish or Italian origin given to the church by Anne Poulett
the Member of Parliament for the Bridgwater constituency
in 1775. It was apparently captured when a Spanish warship was taken a prize. The artist is unknown, although it has been controversially attributed to Murillo
or Annibale Carracci
. The picture is now used as the altarpiece of the church. It also possesses a fine painted reredos
, and an octagonal 16th century oak pulpit
.
The parish is part of the benefice
of Bridgwater St Mary and Chilton Trinity
which is within the deanery of Sedgemoor
.
Bridgwater
Bridgwater is a market town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is the administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. Bridgwater is located on the major communication routes through South West England...
, 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 was built in the 13th century, and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
The building is on the site of an earlier church which was rebuilt by William Briwere
William Briwere
William Briwere was a medieval Bishop of Exeter.- Early life :Briwere was the nephew of William Brewer, a baron and political leader during King Henry III of England's minority. Nothing else is known of the younger Briwere's family or where he was educated...
in the early 13th century.
St Mary Magdalene's church has a north porch and windows dating from the 14th century. During the 15th and 16th centuries chapels were added, modifying the nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
and 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...
extended.
In July 1685, 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...
, 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...
watched from the tower as the forces of King James II assembled, at 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...
, under the command of the Earl of Feversham
Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham
Louis de Duras, 2nd Earl of Feversham KG was a French nobleman who became Earl of Feversham in Stuart England.Born in France, he was marquis de Blanquefort and sixth son of Guy Aldonce , Marquis of Duras and Count of Rozan, from the noble Durfort family...
prior to the Battle of Sedgemoor
Battle of Sedgemoor
The Battle of Sedgemoor was fought on 6 July 1685 and took place at Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in Somerset, England.It was the final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion and followed a series of skirmishes around south west England between the forces of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and the...
. The spire, which was built in 1367, is 114 foot high and sits on top of the 64 feet (19.5 m) tower. The spire was split by lightning in 1814 and repaired the following year. On the face of the tower is a clock installed in 1869 replacing earlier clocks which had been on the tower since 1393. Within the tower are eight bells. The oldest bell dates from 1617 with further bells being added through the 17th and 18th centuries. The most recent bell is the Tenor which dates from 1868 and was cast by John Taylor & Co.
In the 1840s major renovation work included the removal of the galleries and box pew
Box pew
Box pew is a type of church pew that is encased in panelling and was prevalent in England and other Protestant countries from the 16th to early 19th century.-History in England:...
s. In 1902 a vestry was added.
The interior of the church includes a 13 feet (4 m) by 8 feet (2.4 m) painting of the Descent from the Cross
Descent from the Cross
The Descent from the Cross , or Deposition of Christ, is the scene, as depicted in art, from the Gospels' accounts of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus taking Christ down from the cross after his crucifixion . In Byzantine art the topic became popular in the 9th century, and in the West from the...
of Spanish or Italian origin given to the church by Anne Poulett
Anne Poulett
The Honourable Anne Poulett , fourth son of John Poulett, 1st Earl Poulett, was a British Member of Parliament who represented the borough of Bridgwater in the House of Commons for sixteen years until his death in 1785...
the Member of Parliament for the Bridgwater constituency
Bridgwater (UK Parliament constituency)
Bridgwater was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, until 2010 when it was replaced by the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency...
in 1775. It was apparently captured when a Spanish warship was taken a prize. The artist is unknown, although it has been controversially attributed to Murillo
Bartolomé Estéban Murillo
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was a Spanish Baroque painter. Although he is best known for his religious works, Murillo also produced a considerable number of paintings of contemporary women and children...
or Annibale Carracci
Annibale Carracci
Annibale Carracci was an Italian Baroque painter.-Early career:Annibale Carracci was born in Bologna, and in all likelihood first apprenticed within his family...
. The picture is now used as the altarpiece of the church. It also possesses a fine painted reredos
Reredos
thumb|300px|right|An altar and reredos from [[St. Josaphat's Roman Catholic Church|St. Josaphat Catholic Church]] in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]]. This would be called a [[retable]] in many other languages and countries....
, and an octagonal 16th century oak 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...
.
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 Bridgwater St Mary and Chilton Trinity
Chilton Trinity
Chilton Trinity is a village and civil parish on the River Parrett, north of Bridgwater in the Sedgemoor district of Somerset, England.-History:Iron age and Roman pottery have been found at Chilton village...
which is within the deanery of 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...
.