Manaton
Encyclopedia
The village of Manaton is situated on the south-eastern side of Dartmoor
National Park, Devon
, England
.
The 15th century church, in a prominent spot to the north of the village green, is dedicated to St Winifred
. Three of the six bells in its tower are medieval - markings on the oldest indicate a date of around 1440-50, making them at least as ancient as the tower itself. They are still being rung today on a regular basis by the local team of bellringers. Its rood screen
was carved around 1500, but as is the case with many old English Churches, the figures were defaced during the Reformation
. A granite cross once stood in the churchyard, but was destroyed in the mid-19th century by the vicar, Rev. John Charles Carwithen. He did so because he disapproved of what he considered to be a superstitious custom of carrying coffins three times around the cross before burial.
Between 1903 and 1923, the writer John Galsworthy
and his wife frequently stayed in a farmhouse called Wingstone in the village. It was here that he was inspired by the nearby Jay's Grave
and its legend to write his short story The Apple Tree in 1916.
Manaton was known as the `ton in local dialect.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
National Park, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The 15th century church, in a prominent spot to the north of the village green, is dedicated to St Winifred
Winefride
thumb|right|300px|St Winifred's Well, [[Woolston, north Shropshire|Woolston]], ShropshireSaint Winefride was a legendary 7th-century Welsh noblewoman who was canonized after dying for the sake of her chastity...
. Three of the six bells in its tower are medieval - markings on the oldest indicate a date of around 1440-50, making them at least as ancient as the tower itself. They are still being rung today on a regular basis by the local team of bellringers. Its rood screen
Rood screen
The rood screen is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron...
was carved around 1500, but as is the case with many old English Churches, the figures were defaced during the Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
. A granite cross once stood in the churchyard, but was destroyed in the mid-19th century by the vicar, Rev. John Charles Carwithen. He did so because he disapproved of what he considered to be a superstitious custom of carrying coffins three times around the cross before burial.
Between 1903 and 1923, the writer John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy
John Galsworthy OM was an English novelist and playwright. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter...
and his wife frequently stayed in a farmhouse called Wingstone in the village. It was here that he was inspired by the nearby Jay's Grave
Jay's Grave
Jay's Grave is supposedly the last resting place of a suicide victim who is thought to have died in the late 18th century...
and its legend to write his short story The Apple Tree in 1916.
Manaton was known as the `ton in local dialect.
See also
- Corpse roadCorpse roadCorpse roads provided a practical means for transporting corpses, often from remote communities, to cemeteries that had burial rights, such as parish churches and chapels of ease...
- Ambrose ManatonAmbrose ManatonAmbrose Manaton was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England in 1624 and 1640. He supported the Royalist side in the English Civil War....
Cornish was an MP for LauncestonLaunceston (UK Parliament constituency)Launceston, also known at some periods as Dunheved, was a parliamentary constituency in Cornwall which returned two Members of Parliament to the British House of Commons from 1295 until 1832, and one member from 1832 until 1918...