« In the line of duty | Main | The disenchantment of the electorate? »
May 25, 2004
These old stones
Near Tewkesbury is the small village of Deerhurst, a very ancient settlement, and one of historic interest, not least its ancient Saxon Abbey Church, which, although added to in the 12th and 13th Centuries and much knocked about by the "reformers" of the 16th and 17th Centuries, retains many of its original features.
The old Saxon Church at Deerhurst - the central part and tower date from around 900 AD.
At a little distance from it stands Odda's Chapel, dedicated in 1056 to the memory of Aelfric, brother of Odda, a local Prince of the Saxon Royal House, who died at Deerhurst. The chapel survives in a largely unaltered form thanks to its having become a barn and being incorporated into the house built for the Abbot of Westminster Abbey, of which establishment the Deerhurst Abbey had become a Priory.
The simple austerity of both places is in itself inspiring, and the setting is so peaceful that it is a nice place to go and explore one's thoughts. I first discovered both quite a few years ago, but only recently discovered that the Church at Deerhurst is the final resting place of quite a large number of my forebears who enjoyed the Lordship of the Manors of Apperley, Deerhurst, and Ashchurch in this area. As families do, they seem to have declined into the background and other families now enjoy these honours.
The old Deerhurst church was established on this site in 715, and the present building still incorporates elements from that original. In fact, the nave, flanked by its 13th Century "Aisles", is still the tall narrow Saxon building from around 900AD. Sadly, the "reformers" destroyed the original Saxon Apsed Sanctuary, the foundations of which can still be seen in the abutting farmyard. The farmhouse and many of its surrounding buildings are the original early Norman "Priory" buildings. One remarkable survivor of the centuries since it was first carved is the great stone font, now situated in the North West corner of the North Aisle. Internally, the West Wall of the church, which supports the Saxon Tower, has a pair of original Saxon windows looking into the nave and several other features, including door "guards" of carved stone wolf heads on either side of the door.
The West Wall of the Saxon nave.
A remarkable indicator of the 17th Century view of the Eucharist survives here, with the "Communion Table" placed forward and in front of the chancel gates, with seating arranged on the North, East and South walls of the chancel. This accords with the Rubric contained in the 1662 Prayer Book that says, ".. The Minister shall cause the Table to be placed in the midst of the Chancel longwise, and after that he has admitted those whom he shall examine and have found fit to receive the grace of the communion, he shall stand upon the North side and commence the commemoration of our Lord's Last Supper ..." .
The "Table" now stands in the more conventional "crosswise" position, the Eucharist is no longer exclusive (Thank the Lord!), and the Priest now stands on the East side to celebrate the Eucharist facing West, but the 17th Century layout survives. It is this format which (thankfully!) was abandoned by the majority of the Church of England in the 19th Century, but still survives in some corners of the Anglican Communion, most notably in the Sydney Diocese, where the "North End Crouch" is still the "approved" stance for the Priest celebrating the Eucharist. In my usual fashion I put my foot in it when I was last there by asking why, if they insisted on adhering to a position which has no theological or liturgical authority but is an expression of 17th Century politics, they did not place the "Table" correctly in the lengthwise position? OK, I will do a penance for that one, but the guy had annoyed me with a stupid sermon which was all about how evil the Roman Catholics were. He should maybe get out a bit more and grow up.
A copy of the original "dedication stone" found during work carried out in 1675 at Odda's Chapel.
My love for these old stones rests as much in the years of use they have had in providing a place to worship as in the link they provide with our ancestors and their small triumphs and disasters. Here at Deerhurst stands a monument to the history of the people and the church stretching back over 1300 years. Truly a testimony to the faith and the faithfullness of the succeeding generations who have worshipped here and now lie in the tranquil ground around it.
One of the pair of Wolf's head Door guards.
Long may it continue to provide a haven of tranquility in the lives of those it serves.
Posted by The Gray Monk at May 25, 2004 11:45 AM
Comments
Thewre are still a few North Enders about in the UK you know, I believe there is a bishop in Porstmouth, I definately know one of the priests. Good chap too, with none of that 'vile papery@ type stuff. In fact I met him at St MNary Bourne Street, not the lowest of churches.
Posted by: Gawain at May 25, 2004 12:07 PM
There are indeed - one right here in Tewkesbury. I always find it fascinating that they argue that to stand in front of it is to "stand between the people and God" and to stand behind is to place "the focus on the Priest and not on God".
In my view I cannot stand between you and God since God is next to you in the pew and holding me in His hands as I lead the worship. If He isn't we are both in the wrong place. Nope there is no rational reason for standing at the North End - especially with the "Table" wrongly oriented anyway.
Posted by: The Gray Monk at May 27, 2004 03:55 PM